DAR ES SALAAM— The construction of the Tanzania-Zambia Project (Taza) which involves the construction of electricity transmission infrastructure between the two countries will start in January 2023, said project coordinator Elias Makunga.
The Sh1.4 trillion project, which involves the construction of a 400-kilowatt line will be completed in January 2025, he told Energy Minister January Makamba.
The project will be constructed from Iringa Region and end in Sumbawanga, covering a distance of 616 kilometres.
It will also involve the construction of four new power stations. The government will find contractors for the project in December and that the number of bidders has so far reached 24.
Makunga, who is from Tanzania Electric Supply Company (Tanesco), told Makamba Thursday when the latter visited the Taza area in Tunduma Town, Songwe region.
Makamba is on a visit to various regions, seeking to listen to people’s grievances and views regarding the quality of services provided by the institutions under his ministry.
“Taza will strengthen access to electricity in Iringa, Njombe and Mbeya. It will also feed electricity into the national grid in Songwe and Rukwa. That way, we will be implementing the government’s overall goal of strengthening Tanzanians’ access to this energy,” said Makunga.
He said the project will enable Tanzania to connect with member countries of the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) through Zambia and Eastern Africa Power Pool (EAPP) through Kenya and become a centre for electricity trade for member countries of the EAPP & SAPP.
“Tanzania should sell electricity to SAPP & EAPP member countries when there is a power surplus or buy electricity if the demand is greater than what is produced in the country,” he said.
According to Makunga, the funds have been obtained from the World Bank (WB), the French Development Agency, the European Union and the Government of Tanzania.
Source: NAM NEWS NETWORK