Dar es Salaam. Tanzania is set to increase its renewable energy generation capacity to 2,463 megawatts (MW) by 2030, as part of a comprehensive energy development plan unveiled by President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
Speaking at the Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit on Tuesday, January 28, President Samia outlined the country’s ambitions to accelerate electricity supply and address critical energy challenges.
“Tanzania is among 12 countries unveiling its national energy compact. Through this compact, we aim to increase electricity access to 72 percent by 2030,” said President Samia.
She noted that achieving these goals would require an estimated investment of $13 billion over the next five years, of which $5 billion is expected to come from the local private sector.
The compact focuses on four key priorities: diversifying the energy mix, strengthening regional power connectivity, expanding electricity access to remote hamlets, and promoting clean cooking solutions.
Increasing the energy mix
Tanzania currently generates 3,431MW, with hydropower accounting for 58 percent, natural gas 35 percent, and other sources contributing the remainder.
Under the new compact, the government plans to diversify its energy sources by tapping into solar, wind, geothermal, and additional natural gas resources.
By 2030, renewable energy is projected to contribute 2,463MW, reducing reliance on traditional sources and ensuring a more sustainable energy supply.
Regional energy integration
Highlighting Tanzania’s strategic position in the region, President Samia said the country is a crucial link between the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) and the East African Power Pool (EAPP), which connect Southern Africa to Egypt.
“We have already connected our grids with Kenya, Burundi, and Rwanda, and we are working on interconnections with Uganda and Zambia. The regional power pool will facilitate commercialisation of energy across East Africa and the Southern African Development Community (SADC),” she explained.
She further noted that Tanzania’s electricity production capacity of 3,431MW, which exceeds the national demand of 1,888MW as of November 2024, presents substantial opportunities for exporting surplus power to neighbouring countries.
Expanding electricity access
President Samia also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to electrifying all 64,359 hamlets in the country.
To date, electricity has reached 32,827 hamlets, with ongoing projects covering 20,000 more.
The remaining 11,532 hamlets are expected to be electrified by 2023 under the new compact.
“This milestone will build on our achievement of providing electricity to all villages, ensuring that every Tanzanian benefits from reliable power supply,” she said.
Promoting clean cooking solutions
The compact also targets the widespread adoption of clean cooking energy to address the health, environmental, and social challenges associated with charcoal and firewood.
Over 90 percent of Tanzanians rely on these traditional fuels, contributing to deforestation, greenhouse gas emissions, and health issues.
“Through our clean cooking strategy, we aim to reduce dependence on charcoal and firewood from 90 percent to 80 percent by 2034. The compact will accelerate this timeline, promoting sustainable alternatives,” she stated.
With these ambitious initiatives, Tanzania aims to position itself as a regional energy hub while enhancing domestic energy access and sustainability.
The other 11 countries that would unveil their national energy compacts on January 28 are Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Liberia, Madagascar and Malawi. Others are Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal and Zambia.
The other countries would unveil their energy compacts in future dates.
