Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s ongoing investment in power generation and transmission has reached Sh13.5 trillion, according to the Tanzania Electric Supply Company Limited (Tanesco).
This marks one of the largest infrastructure commitments in the country’s energy sector in recent decades.
The disclosure was made by Tanesco managing director, Mr Lazaro Twange, during a briefing to the newly appointed Minister for Energy, Mr Deogratius Ndejembi, who toured the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project (JNHPP) on November 26, 2025.
The visit formed part of the minister’s wider familiarisation tour of institutions under his docket following his appointment earlier this month.
Mr Twange noted that 41 power-related projects are currently under implementation, including six generation initiatives and 35 major transmission lines across the country.
Twange said the country currently has surplus electricity.
“At present, Tanzania has surplus electricity and there are no power cuts, except for occasional short outages for infrastructure maintenance,” he said.
Investment is being directed particularly towards guaranteeing stable supply for industrial zones, including the construction of a new transmission line from Mkuranga to Chalinze, Kibaha and Kwala, where over Sh3 billion has been allocated.
The intention is to support the government’s industrialisation drive by ensuring factories are connected to dependable energy.
Mr Twange also highlighted progress in new renewable and hydropower projects, including the 50MW Kishapu solar plant in Shinyanga and the 49.5MW Malagarasi hydropower scheme in Kigoma, both of which will soon be integrated into the national grid.
During the tour, Mr Ndejembi emphasised that the completion of the JNHPP, now generating 2,115MW, has decisively eliminated power shortages that had affected various parts of the country in previous years.
“Tanzania now has sufficient electricity, and the completion of the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project has completely eliminated nationwide power shortages,” he said.
The project, the largest hydropower initiative in East Africa, is central to the Sixth Phase Government’s strategy to secure long-term energy stability.
He noted that with generation capacity now substantially improved, government focus has shifted towards expanding transmission lines to ensure electricity reaches more regions.
Among these is the ongoing construction of the 400kV Chalinze–Dodoma line, crucial for strengthening supply to the Central, Northern and Lake Zones.
Preparations are also underway for a new transmission line linking the JNHPP site to Mkuranga, intended to feed the Mkuranga Industrial Park and support the wider Greater Dar es Salaam area.
Mr Ndejembi stressed that sustainable management of water sources is essential for the longevity of the hydropower project, noting that 80 per cent of the reservoir’s water originates from the Kilombero River basin and the remainder from the Ruaha River and smaller tributaries.
He said the Ministry of Energy will continue working closely with the ministries responsible for water, natural resources, livestock and forestry, as well as the Tanzania Forest Services (TFS), to protect these catchment areas.
Proper conservation, he added, could guarantee more than a century of reliable electricity generation from the JNHPP.
Mr Ndejembi called on the public to safeguard the project, describing it as a national asset whose benefits extend across generations.
Meanwhile, Mr Twange said discussions with potential investors on nuclear power development had begun, following presidential directives for the country to start preparing for the future adoption of nuclear energy.
He indicated that the Ministry of Energy is finalising initial documentation ahead of wider stakeholder consultations.
He reaffirmed that Tanzania has adequate electricity to support new industrial ventures and encouraged investors to take advantage of the stability now achieved in the sector.
The visit forms part of the minister’s ongoing tour of institutions under the energy portfolio to assess progress, challenges and operational readiness across the sector.
