By the respondents reporter
SUMBAWANGA, Tanzania, Oct. 15 — Tanzania's 400-kilovolt TAZA power transmission project is expected to improve electricity supply in the country's southern highlands, stimulate investment and create opportunities for value addition in agriculture, Vice-President Deogratius Ndejembi said on Thursday.
Ndejembi made the remarks during an inspection of the Tanzania-Zambia Interconnector Project, including electricity substations at Malangali in Rukwa Region and Nkangamo in Songwe Region.
Rukwa currently receives about 16 megawatts of electricity against estimated demand of 30 MW, a shortfall that has constrained economic activity, particularly the processing of agricultural produce, he said.
The limited supply has forced some farmers to sell raw produce instead of processing it to increase its value and their incomes.
“On the instructions of President Samia Suluhu Hassan, it was directed that Rukwa Region be connected to the national grid to address electricity supply challenges. That is why implementation of this project began in 2023,” Ndejembi said.
He said reliable electricity would enable residents to expand businesses, establish industries, process agricultural products and attract investors, creating jobs and improving livelihoods.
The project involves the construction of an approximately 618-kilometre, 400-kV transmission line from Iringa to Malangali in Rukwa. It is expected to strengthen the national grid and improve the capacity of the electricity network to meet growing demand.
During his visit to the Nkangamo substation in Songwe, where construction was reported to be 83% complete, Ndejembi said the project would help address longstanding electricity supply challenges and support economic development.
He also highlighted Tanzania's geographical position as an opportunity to strengthen electricity trade between East and Southern Africa.
Through TAZA, Tanzania aims to improve its capacity to exchange electricity with neighbouring countries, including Zambia, through the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP).
The interconnector is expected to strengthen regional energy cooperation and create opportunities for cross-border electricity trading.
Ndejembi urged citizens to protect electricity infrastructure built with public funds, describing it as a public asset intended to improve energy services, support economic growth and promote sustainable development.
The project forms part of Tanzania's broader efforts to reinforce its national grid and use reliable electricity to support industrialisation, agriculture, commerce and investment.