Energy minister optimistic on nationwide power suppl

Energy and Minerals minister Prof Sospeter Muhongo listens as Tanesco managing director Felchesmi Mramba  briefs reporters at the Dar es Salaam Port yesterday on the arrival of electricity poles that had been awaited by hundreds of Tanzanians. Eng Mramba told the reporters that all people who had paid for power  connections would be served after the arrival of the consignment. PHOTO | SAUMU MWALIMU 

By Saumu Mwalimu, The Citizen

Posted  Sunday, December 15  2013 

In Summary

• Energy tsar Sospeter Muhongo claims that multiple power-generation projects, which are scheduled for completion by 2015, should add 1500 kilowatts to the current 1501 kilowatts. So nothing to worry about, then?
  
  

Dar es Salaam. Energy minister Sospeter Muhongo reiterated yesterday that the current power shortage in some parts of the country will become history if construction of new power plants and distribution plans go as scheduled.

He said this during a visit to the Kinyerezi, Gongo la Mboto and Mbagala substations which are under construction.

Prof Muhongo said that the projects which are scheduled for completion by 2015 will add 1500 kilowatts to the current 1501.2 kilowatts. 

He said for a start,  the Kinyerezi I plant power station which is expected to be completed by August next year, will produce 150 kilowatts.

 “I ask you to be patient because the government is determined to ensure that power problems  become history,” he said.

The projects manager, Engineer Simon Jilima, said that the plants will be driven by  gas to avoid the current high  fuel costs.

Tanzania Electric Supply Company (Tanesco) managing director  Felchesmi Mramba  said power shortage problems will end by February next year as the areas facing  the problem will be served by reliable  gas generated power.

He said that the Mbagala substation which is under construction will relieve residents of Kurasini, Mbagala, Kigamboni and Mkuranga of  persistent power cuts.

The MD  added that the long time complaints of people who have asked to be connected  to electricity  sources are nearing an end, as electricity  pole  containers have arrived at the port.

“By February 2015 all the pending connections will be cleared and no one who has paid for poles will be left out of the scheme, and  our projection is that by next year, 250,000 people will get power connection,” he said.