Shinyanga. Tanzania has recorded a new milestone in its energy sector after completing the construction of the Kishapu solar power project in Shinyanga Region.
The facility is the largest and the first utility-scale solar plant of its kind in the country.
The project marks a decisive step in the national shift towards renewable energy.
It also underscores the government’s resolve to expand access to reliable and affordable electricity.
Speaking on February 21, 2026, after inspecting the facility, Tanesco managing director Lazaro Twange said the project symbolised a historic breakthrough for Tanzania.
“This is a new chapter in our national development. Since independence, we have never had a large-scale solar power plant of this magnitude. Today, we are witnessing electricity being generated from the sun on a scale never seen before in our country,” he said.
Mr Twange said the first phase of the project would inject 50 megawatts into the National Grid by March 1, 2026.
He said this would enhance grid stability and help meet rising electricity demand.
He thanked President Samia Suluhu Hassan for mobilising Sh118.6 billion, in partnership with the French Development Agency (AFD), to finance the first phase.
“The successful completion of this phase reflects the Sixth Phase Government’s firm commitment to strengthening electricity supply and accelerating the energy transition,” he said.
Kishapu District Commissioner Peter Masindi said the project would act as a catalyst for local economic growth.
He said it would particularly benefit youth engaged in mining and agriculture.
“This project has created employment opportunities and opened new pathways for development. Reliable power will raise productivity in mining and farming and stimulate wider economic and social activities,” he said.
Acting manager of the Kishapu Power Generation Plant, engineer Mariana Mrosso, said the facility would improve the reliability and quality of electricity supply, especially in Lake Zone regions.
“The power generated here will boost generation capacity on the National Grid and enhance service delivery to our customers, particularly in the Lake Zone,” she said.
Officials said all 50 megawatts would be fully connected to the grid by March 1, 2026.
Meanwhile, Tanesco is in the final stages of procuring a contractor for the second phase.
The expansion will add 100 megawatts at a cost of Sh200.4 billion.
The Kishapu solar project is widely viewed as a landmark in Tanzania’s renewable energy journey.
It is expected to strengthen energy security, reduce reliance on hydropower and thermal generation, and support long-term economic and social development.
