Dar es Salaam. Tanzania has initiated the training of its energy experts as a significant step towards producing over 1,000 megawatts of renewable energy by 2045, aimed at enhancing the national grid’s capacity.
To achieve this ambitious target, India, the United States, and Tanzania have agreed to collaborate in exchanging expertise and training specialists from all three countries, including Tanzania, to boost the use of clean and renewable energy sources.
This initiative is designed to mitigate the adverse effects associated with the use of other energy sources such as firewood and charcoal for cooking. Additionally, it aims to increase electricity generation from alternative sources to reduce power shortages in some regions of the country.
These statements were made today during the launch ceremony of the tripartite collaboration.
Assistant Commissioner for Renewable Energy from the Ministry of Energy, Imani Mruma, noted that currently, only 10.5 megawatts of renewable energy are being integrated into the national grid. The goal is to significantly increase this figure.
Mruma highlighted several ongoing projects, including the Kishapu Solar Power Project in Shinyanga, which will have a capacity of 15 megawatts, and the geothermal project in Songwe, which is expected to produce 200 megawatts.
Additional projects are in the feasibility study stage, including wind projects in the regions of Iringa, Njombe, Singida, Shinyanga, and Kilimanjaro.
“We anticipate that by 2028, these projects will collectively generate 843 megawatts. We are on the right track, and our goal is to add over 1,000 megawatts to the national grid by 2045 through the national energy development plan,” said Mruma.
Speaking about the collaboration, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Energy, Dr. James Mataragio, stated that the United States and India have made significant advancements in the use of clean and renewable energy, while Tanzania is just beginning its journey.
“There is a major campaign in Tanzania now for the use of clean cooking energy. As a country, we are striving to push the implementation of this campaign, which is why we are partnering with our colleagues from the United States and India, who have experience in this area, to help train our youth to assist,” said Mataragio.
India’s Deputy High Commissioner to Tanzania, Manoj Verma, expressed confidence that the developmental partnership among the three countries would enable others to leverage India’s experience in the renewable energy sector to sustainably improve the lives of Tanzanians.
Acting Country Director for USAID in Tanzania, Alexander Klaits, stated that the partnership would enhance local capacity and increase business opportunities for American companies in Tanzania.
“We are honored to collaborate with the Government of India to help Tanzania continue to be a major energy exporter in the East African region,” said Klaits.
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