The government is stepping up investment in electricity transmission and distribution infrastructure to ensure that rising power generation translates into reliable electricity for households, businesses and industries across the country.
Energy Minister Deogratius Ndejembi said strengthening the power network was essential to reducing outages and ensuring that electricity generated from major projects reaches consumers efficiently.
Speaking at the launch of the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project in Coast Region, Mr Ndejembi said the government had completed 98 percent of the construction of a 617-kilometre, 400-kilovolt transmission line linking Iringa, Mbeya and Songwe.
The line will also connect Rukwa Region to the national grid, increasing the capacity to transmit electricity to areas where demand is growing.
The minister said another major transmission project linking Songea, Tunduru, Masasi and Maumbika was also progressing, with the works expected to strengthen electricity supply in Lindi and Mtwara regions.
“The increase in electricity generation must go hand in hand with investment in transmission and distribution infrastructure,” Mr Ndejembi said.
He said the government was also upgrading the Ibadakuli Substation in Shinyanga from 220kV to 400kV.
The upgrade will increase the capacity to transmit electricity from Dodoma through Singida and Tabora to Shinyanga.
The planned Tanzania-Uganda Interconnector will further strengthen the network and improve electricity transmission to Geita and other parts of the Lake Zone, where demand is increasing because of mining and other economic activities.
Mr Ndejembi acknowledged that increased generation alone would not automatically solve electricity supply challenges.
He said ageing transmission and distribution infrastructure remained one of the factors contributing to power interruptions in some parts of the country.
The government, he said, was therefore investing in upgrading the network to ensure that additional power reaches consumers and that interruptions are reduced.
For households, reliable electricity is important for lighting, communication, education and the use of essential appliances.
For businesses, stable power can help reduce operational disruptions, while industries and mines require dependable electricity to maintain production.
The government is targeting electricity generation of 8,000 megawatts by 2030, using a combination of hydropower, natural gas, solar, wind, coal, geothermal and other sources.
Mr Ndejembi said the strategy was aimed at creating a more diversified and resilient electricity system as demand continues to rise.
In Kishapu, Shinyanga Region, a 50MW solar power project is already in place, while the government has signed an agreement for the development of another 100MW solar project.
The country also plans to generate at least 130MW from geothermal energy, adding another source to the national electricity mix.
The minister said the initiatives were being implemented in line with President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s development priorities and the National Development Vision 2050.
While the expansion of generation capacity is significant, the effectiveness of the investment will ultimately depend on how reliably electricity reaches consumers.
The government’s simultaneous focus on generation, transmission and distribution is therefore expected to address one of the key challenges facing the power sector—ensuring that electricity produced is delivered to homes, businesses and productive sectors without unnecessary interruptions.
As Tanzania’s economy expands, stronger electricity infrastructure will be increasingly important in supporting industrialisation, investment, job creation and improved living standards.
For citizens, the expectation is straightforward: more electricity should mean more reliable power, fewer disruptions and better services for households and businesses.
