Kigoma. The introduction of grid electricity in Kigoma Region has saved approximately Sh58 billion previously spent each year on fuel and generator maintenance, the Deputy Minister for Energy, Salome Makamba, has said.
She commended Tanzania Electric Supply Company Limited (Tanesco) for successfully implementing the project that connected Kigoma to the national power grid.
The project replaced costly diesel-powered generators that had long supplied electricity to the region.
Ms Makamba made the remarks on March 6, 2026, after inspecting the construction of the Kidahwe main electricity substation, the Kigoma Town substation and the temporary Kidahwe substation.
She said the completion of the transmission line from Nyakanazi to Kigoma marked a major milestone in improving electricity supply in the region.
“I congratulate Tanesco for delivering grid electricity to Kigoma, particularly after completing the Nyakanazi–Kigoma project and using its own internal funds amounting to Sh5 billion to complete the temporary Kidahwe substation, which is currently supplying power to the region as construction of the main station continues,” she said.
According to the Deputy Minister, the new Kidahwe power substation will have a capacity of 192 megawatts, significantly strengthening electricity availability in Kigoma Region, which currently receives about 30 megawatts.
She added that the facility is expected to be completed in November this year. Once operational, it will help stabilise the electricity supply across Tanzania’s western regions.
The project is also expected to support the operation of the country’s Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) network and facilitate cross-border electricity trade with neighbouring countries in western Tanzania.
With improved and reliable power supply now reaching the region, Ms Makamba invited both local and foreign investors to explore investment opportunities in Kigoma.
She also urged residents to safeguard electricity infrastructure, noting that the government under President Samia Suluhu Hassan continues to allocate significant funding for energy development projects across the country.
“The government is investing heavily in energy infrastructure, and it is the responsibility of citizens to protect and value these assets,” she said.
Earlier, the project coordinator for the 400 kilovolt Nyakanazi–Kigoma transmission line, Mr Ramadhan Uwessu, said construction of the Kidahwe substation is progressing alongside the expansion of the Nyakanazi substation.
He explained that the expansion will enable the transmission of 400kV electricity from Nyakanazi to Kidahwe.
The Kidahwe station will also receive electricity through a 132kV line from Tabora, a 400kV line from Sumbawanga and additional power expected from the Malagarasi hydropower project.
Mr Uwessu said the overall project has reached 47 percent completion and is valued at approximately Sh434 billion.
Funding for the project has been provided by the government of Tanzania, the African Development Bank and the Economic Development Cooperation Fund of South Korea.
