MOVE by the Tanzania Electric Supply Company (TANESCO) to raise tariff rates and connection fees received a blow yesterday after all stakeholders rejected the proposal sent to the Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (EWURA).
EWURA Consumer Consultative Council and Government Consultative Council was firm like most other stakeholders in the meeting which was organised by the former to seek public opinion in Dar es Salaam.
They said the power utility’s move to hike tariff rates and fees would adversely affect the public, industrial sector, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflow and lower customers’ base and revenue. TANESCO had proposed to increase tariff rates by 40 per cent and connection fees by between 196 and 280 per cent—which has caused huge public outcry challenging the firm’s proposals.
Presenting EWURA Consumer Consultative Council official stand, the Vice-Chairman, Mr Said Mohammed, said the council does not see any logic for TANESCO to hike connection charges from 280,000/- to 1.06m/- without submitting to EWURA a proper cost for purchasing equipment used for connections.
Mr Mohammed said the council had recognised that failure to collect its debts from customers, vandalism in infrastructure; thefts and electricity loss were among reasons for failure to operate efficiently.
He also cited the expensive contracts of Independent Power Tanzania Ltd (IPTL) and Songas as among the heaviest burdens thrown onto TANESCO adding that it was unfair for such burdens to be passed onto ordinary consumers.
TANESCO pays ITPL about 3bn/- every month regardless of whether the electricity is consumed or not. “TANESCO failed to submit to EWURA its master plan that would give a detailed analysis of the cost of services they are going to offer and failure to do so has made the Council also fail to satisfy itself on the viability of their programme,” said Mr Mohammed.
The Council also challenged TANESCO to reduce unnecessary expenses that have made the firm’s operational costs to continue skyrocketing which in the end affect the ordinary consumer. The Chairman for Power Crisis Committee from Tanzania Confederation of Industries (CTI), Mr Focus Laswai, advised the government to buy-off IPTL immediately and not by 2009 as earlier proposed.
The Chairperson of Government Consultative Council, Ms Juliana Lema, said the TANESCO request on tariff increase gives the council a hard time, and raised a lot of questions on how to advise EWURA board of Directors on the matter. “This is because TANESCO has failed to show us how they arrived at 40 per cent tariff rates increase while connection fees go up to between 196 and 280 per cent,” said Ms Lema.
She said the performance of TANESCO in collecting bills continued to go down whereby in 2004 it collected 108 per cent, dropping to 97 per cent and 87 per cent in 2005 and 2006 respectively.
“This trend goes contrary to the utility’s expectation to collect revenue of 96 per cent in the coming five years (2007-2011). The Council is keen to understand the programmes put in place to reverse this situation,” she said adding; “The Council would like TANESCO to state categorically whether or not the increase will affect the industrial sector in the East African market and if the country will remain favourable for FDI especially in the sector”.
Closing the meeting, the EWURA Director General, Mr Haruna Masebu, said they are going to make decisions based on the stakeholders’ opinion saying any dissatisfied party would be free to appeal before Fair Competition Tribunal.
Dar es Salaam was the last point for EWURA to seek public opinion on the matter after convening such meetings in Mbeya, Dodoma, Arusha and Mwanza --representing various zones in the country.
Source: Daily News, 23/11/2007
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Dar rejects Tanesco tariff rates hike
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Umeme wazidi kuleta kilio
MPANGO wa Shirika la Umeme Tanzania (Tanesco) kutaka kupandisha gharama za umeme umezidi kupingwa na wadau mbalimbali, huku wakidai uzembe wa wafanyakazi wa shirika hilo kushindwa kukusanya madeni ndiyo chanzo cha shirika kushindwa kujiendesha kibiashara.
Wadau hao ambao walizungumza jana kwenye mikutano iliyoitishwa na Mamlaka ya Udhibiti wa Nishati na Maji (Ewura) katika mikoa ya Mwanza na Arusha, walisema shirika hilo sasa linataka kuficha udhaifu, kuwatupia mzigo wananchi na kuwaongezea machungu na makali ya maisha.
Tanesco imependekeza kuongeza bei ya kuunganishiwa umeme na malipo ya ankara kwa asilimia 40 mwakani.
Wadau wanadai iwapo gharama hizo zitapanda, umeme utakuwa ni anasa kwa Watanzania, huku wananchi wa vijijini wataendelea kuishi bila kupatiwa huduma hiyo.
Kati ya Watanzania milioni 38 ni asilimia saba tu ambao wanatumia nishati hiyo huku maeneo mengi ya vijijini hawana huduma hiyo.
Mwenyekiti wa Baraza la Ushauri la Watumiaji wa Huduma za Umeme, Profesa Jamidu Katima, alisema katika maombi ya Tanesco kwa Mamlaka ya Udhibiti wa Huduma za Nishati na Maji (Ewura) kuiruhusu ipandishe gharama za umeme haikuwasilisha mchanganuo unaotakiwa.
Akizungumza katika mkutano uliofanyika mjini Mwanza, Profesa Katima alisema Tanesco imeomba kupandisha ankara ya umeme kwa asilimia 40 na gharama za kuunganisha umeme asilimia 196 na 281 bila kuambatanisha mchanganuo mzima.
“Kama hivyo ni kweli baraza halioni ni vipi gharama za kuunganisha wateja zipandishwe, mfano service line ya njia tatu ipande kutoka Sh 280,000 hadi Sh 1,065,735,” alisema Katima na kuongeza kuwa shirika hilo lilipaswa kuwasilisha mchanganuo unaoonyesha gharama halali za kununulia vifaa kuonyesha uhalali wa ongezeko waliloliomba.
Alisema baraza hilo limeona gharama kubwa za uendeshaji ambazo zinaonekana ni za Tanesco, hasa katika maeneo ya kushindwa kukusanya madeni, hujuma kwenye miundombinu, wizi na upotevu wa umeme ambao kwa sasa ni zaidi ya asilimia 24 tofauti na kiwango kinachokubalika cha kimataifa cha asilimia 12.
Tatizo jingine la shirika hilo ni kuingia mikataba ghali ya IPTL na umeme wa Songas na kwa mantiki hiyo si haki kuwabebesha mzigo huo watumiaji. “Tanesco walitakiwa wawasilishe mpango kabambe wa shirika ukionyesha hali halisi, lakini haukuwasilishwa,” alisema.
Profesa Katima alisema kushindwa kwa shirika hilo kutoa mchanganuo wa gharama za kutoa huduma za umeme na kushindwa kuwasilisha mpango kabambe, baraza hilo limeshindwa kujiridhisha na mikakati ambayo Tanesco imejiwekea ya kupunguza gharama zisizo za lazima.
Alisema kwa kuwa shirika hilo linaona yupo mtu wa kulipia gharama hizo, halitoweza kuona umuhimu wa kupunguza hizo gharama na ndiyo maana makadirio yake yanazidi kupanda mwaka hadi mwaka katika mpango wake ambao uko hadi mwaka 2012.
Mwenyekiti huyo alisema ankara zilizopendekezwa na shirika hilo zimeonyesha kuwa baadhi ya makundi ya watumiaji wa umeme yanafidiwa na makundi mengine kwa maana hiyo kuna usiri fulani.
“Kwa kuwa wengi wa watumiaji wa makundi hayo ni wazalishaji wa viwanda, baraza lina hofu kuwa bidhaa zinazozalishwa na viwanda zitakuwa za bei kubwa na hivyo kuathiri watu wa kawaida,” alisema.
Mjini Arusha Mwenyekiti wa Baraza la Watumiaji Umeme mkoani humo, Mhandisi Mubezi Deogratius Lutaihwa alisema haoni sababu ya Tanesco kupandisha bei ya umeme kwa asilimia 40, kwani utendaji kazi wa shirika hilo ndiyo kikwazo cha kushindwa kufanya kazi kibiashara na kupata faida.
“Kwanza takwimu nyingi zilizoelezwa hapa zina dosari nyingi na walipaswa kuandaa masterplan (mpango kabambe) ya mpango wa maendeleo yao badala tarakimu hizi ambazo zinazua maswali mengi zaidi,” alisema.
Meneja wa Kiwanda cha mbao cha Fibreboard Ltd, Spous Mushi alisema mpango huo utaleta madhara makubwa kwa uchumi, kwani wamiliki wa viwanda watalazimika kupunguza idadi kubwa ya wafanyakazi wao.
“Hii italeta madhara kwani watakaopunguzwa wanaweza kujiingiza katika vitendo vya uhalifu kama ujambazi na unyang’anyi kutokana na kukosa ajira, lakini wanawake walioajiriwa waliopunguzwa wanaweza kuwa machangudoa,” alisema huku akishangiliwa na watu walihudhuria mkutano huo.
Naye Mwenyekiti wa Shirikisho la Wenye Viwanda mkoani hapa (CTI), Anup Modha alitaka shirika hilo liache kuendeshwa kisiasa na kuingia mikataba ya biashara ambayo ina hasara.
Alisema haoni kwa nini mzigo huo ulipwe na wateja wa kawaida kwa kuwapandishia bei ya umeme.
Naye Ibrahim Hasi, ambaye ni Mwenyekiti wa Mtaa wa Nyerere mjini Mwanza, alisema shirika hilo lingejaribu kuweka utaratibu kama wa Mamlaka za Maji nchini ambao umeweka viwango tofauti kwa kila mdau kwa watumiaji wa nyumbani na viwandani kabla ya kupandisha bei.
Source: Habari Leo, 20/11/2007
Hiked power tariff coming
The Tanzania`s power utility company (Tanesco) has submitted to the Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (Ewura) an application for a 40 per cent tariff adjustment for the transitory period 2008-2009.
This is partly due to World Bank and IMF pressure on the Tanzanian government to remove subsidies on the energy sector, starting with the next financial year.
Talking to journalists in Dar es Salaam yesterday, the company`s Managing Director,Dr. Idris Rashid said:
``The new charges will enable the company set its steady tariffs based on costs reflecting efficient sustainable provision of services under its responsibility.``
He said the newly proposed tariffs would permit Tanesco to meet its operating costs for power generation, transmission, distribution plus a targeted allowance for capital expenditures.
According to Dr. Rashid, last year`s records from Tanesco audited accounts indicate that the firm was under-recovering its cost of services by 118 per cent.
``And if the company were to fully recover its costs of service, last year�s tariff would have increased by 118 percent.``
He, however, said: ``Tanesco is cognizant that the proposed increase is high and will have an adverse impact on its customers, hence has explored with the government alternatives that could reduce the impact of the tariff increase.``
``There is no way we must operate our company commercially rather than before. This will make us deliver improved and competitive services to our customers,`` he added.
``The average tariff in the year 2006 was 84/- per Kwh whereby the average cost was 183/- per Kwh, 99/- was under-recovery and the loss was 183 bn/-,`` Dr. Rashid said.
He added that the accumulated loss up to 2006 was 677 bn/- due to heavy use of higher cost thermoelectric generation caused by drought.
During the first nine months of 2007, the company`s loss amounted to 58 bn/-.
``Shortfall are either covered by bank borrowing, late payments to suppliers and direct or indirect subsidy from the Government budget.
Collected revenues are insufficient to achieve improvement required in our power facilities; and performance of the company is below industrial standards,`` he said.
Starting this year`s financial budget, the government will not subsidize Tanesco for operating costs, except 18bn/- for part of IPTL capacity charges.
He said the average cost per unit for the past three years had not been verging, making Tanesco unable to raise enough money to meet its exact cost of service.
He said the skyrocketing of petroleum products and inflation would make Tanesco have periodic adjustments on its tariffs.
``Under this new proposed adjustment, we want to have bi-annual adjustment to cover fuel costs, exchange rates and annual adjustment to cover inflation rates.``
``Even the new proposed 40 per cent tariffs will not make Tanesco meet its operation costs but rather it will continue adjusting over time,`` Dr. Idris Rashid said.
He said time had come for the public and customers to pay real tariff`s charges and make the company provide improved services by improving its infrastructures and meet the customer`s demands.
Over dependency on hydro generation, inability to connect new customers, poor quality of supply, poor customer services, dilapidated and overloaded network as well as vandalism and energy theft were some of the key challenges locking the company to prosper. Other challenges include corruption and high material costs.
The company`s management also appealed to Ewura to provide guidance on establishing a steady state tariff setting system that will allow Tanesco to recover both operating and capital costs based on efficient operations as well as return on investment.
On the service line charges, Dr. Rashid said the proposed charges would remain intact as material costs have increased by over 100 per cent.
``For the past four years, Tanesco has not increased its service line connection charges and material costs have increased by over 100 per cent.
All these costs are not covered by tariffs and the company is obliged to recover the full cost from its customers.``
He said the price of service line materials had increased due to higher shipment and other transportation costs, inflation, exchange rate changes and metal prices.
``With exception of energy meters, customers could opt to purchase materials and Tanesco would charge labour costs only. Tanesco will be providing standards and specifications,`` he said.
From November 19 - 23, this year Tanesco will be undergoing public hearing on the new proposed tariffs and service line charges across the country.
The public hearing is aimed at informing its customers and the public on reasons behind the newly proposed tariffs which waits for Ewura`s approval for implementations.
It is barely a week since Tanesco hiked 100 per cent of its service line connection charges to its new customers; a move that hit a snag as Ewura intervened; asking the power utility firm to provide through explanation over the new charges increase.
Source: Guardian, 20/11/2007
Hiked power tariff coming
Hiked power tariff coming
The Tanzania`s power utility company (Tanesco) has submitted to the Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (Ewura) an application for a 40 per cent tariff adjustment for the transitory period 2008-2009.
This is partly due to World Bank and IMF pressure on the Tanzanian government to remove subsidies on the energy sector, starting with the next financial year.
Talking to journalists in Dar es Salaam yesterday, the company`s Managing Director,Dr. Idris Rashid said:
``The new charges will enable the company set its steady tariffs based on costs reflecting efficient sustainable provision of services under its responsibility.``
He said the newly proposed tariffs would permit Tanesco to meet its operating costs for power generation, transmission, distribution plus a targeted allowance for capital expenditures.
According to Dr. Rashid, last year`s records from Tanesco audited accounts indicate that the firm was under-recovering its cost of services by 118 per cent.
``And if the company were to fully recover its costs of service, last year�s tariff would have increased by 118 percent.``
He, however, said: ``Tanesco is cognizant that the proposed increase is high and will have an adverse impact on its customers, hence has explored with the government alternatives that could reduce the impact of the tariff increase.``
``There is no way we must operate our company commercially rather than before. This will make us deliver improved and competitive services to our customers,`` he added.
``The average tariff in the year 2006 was 84/- per Kwh whereby the average cost was 183/- per Kwh, 99/- was under-recovery and the loss was 183 bn/-,`` Dr. Rashid said.
He added that the accumulated loss up to 2006 was 677 bn/- due to heavy use of higher cost thermoelectric generation caused by drought.
During the first nine months of 2007, the company`s loss amounted to 58 bn/-.
``Shortfall are either covered by bank borrowing, late payments to suppliers and direct or indirect subsidy from the Government budget.
Collected revenues are insufficient to achieve improvement required in our power facilities; and performance of the company is below industrial standards,`` he said.
Starting this year`s financial budget, the government will not subsidize Tanesco for operating costs, except 18bn/- for part of IPTL capacity charges.
He said the average cost per unit for the past three years had not been verging, making Tanesco unable to raise enough money to meet its exact cost of service.
He said the skyrocketing of petroleum products and inflation would make Tanesco have periodic adjustments on its tariffs.
``Under this new proposed adjustment, we want to have bi-annual adjustment to cover fuel costs, exchange rates and annual adjustment to cover inflation rates.``
``Even the new proposed 40 per cent tariffs will not make Tanesco meet its operation costs but rather it will continue adjusting over time,`` Dr. Idris Rashid said.
He said time had come for the public and customers to pay real tariff`s charges and make the company provide improved services by improving its infrastructures and meet the customer`s demands.
Over dependency on hydro generation, inability to connect new customers, poor quality of supply, poor customer services, dilapidated and overloaded network as well as vandalism and energy theft were some of the key challenges locking the company to prosper. Other challenges include corruption and high material costs.
The company`s management also appealed to Ewura to provide guidance on establishing a steady state tariff setting system that will allow Tanesco to recover both operating and capital costs based on efficient operations as well as return on investment.
On the service line charges, Dr. Rashid said the proposed charges would remain intact as material costs have increased by over 100 per cent.
``For the past four years, Tanesco has not increased its service line connection charges and material costs have increased by over 100 per cent.
All these costs are not covered by tariffs and the company is obliged to recover the full cost from its customers.``
He said the price of service line materials had increased due to higher shipment and other transportation costs, inflation, exchange rate changes and metal prices.
``With exception of energy meters, customers could opt to purchase materials and Tanesco would charge labour costs only. Tanesco will be providing standards and specifications,`` he said.
From November 19 - 23, this year Tanesco will be undergoing public hearing on the new proposed tariffs and service line charges across the country.
The public hearing is aimed at informing its customers and the public on reasons behind the newly proposed tariffs which waits for Ewura`s approval for implementations.
It is barely a week since Tanesco hiked 100 per cent of its service line connection charges to its new customers; a move that hit a snag as Ewura intervened; asking the power utility firm to provide through explanation over the new charges increase.
Source: Guardian, 20/11/2007
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Mkinga district to get reliable power
MKINGA district villages in Tanga region will get reliable electricity under the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) project, the Minister for Energy and Minerals Nazir Karamagi told the House yesterday.
Mr Karamagi named the villages as Daluni, Gombero and Kwale. He said 292,564,092/- has been earmarked for the project.
“Our efforts to supply power to the villages have finally paid dividends,” said the minister when assuring Mr Mbaruk Mwandoro (CCM-Mkinga of power to the villages.
The MP had asked when the government would provide power to the villages since the pledge to do so in 2003 had not been fulfilled.
The minister said implementation of the project to involve installation of power lines, transformers and other infrastructure start this financial year.
The MCC’s Board of Directors has approved US dollars 698 Million to Tanzania to reduce poverty, stimulate economic growth, and increase household income through targeted infrastructure investments in transport, energy and water.
Source: Daily News, 17/11/2007
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Huge bio-diesel investment boon to national economy
As fossil fuel prices keep on rising daily and global concerns for enhanced use of greener energy become ever more omnipresent, investments in alternative liquid bio-fuels are also becoming attractive.
In Tanzania, a growing interest by corporations to invest in Jatropha farming has lately been gaining ground.
A firm named Export Trading Company Limited claims has invested about USD25m for cultivating 12,000 hectors of bio-diesel yielding Jatropha plantation in Mbarali district, Mbeya region.
Our Special Correspondent Prosper Makene caught up with John Beverley, Estate Manager and discussed issues related to growing bio-fuel industry.
Q: Why did Export Trading have to take such huge land area for Jatropha project?
A: We need to produce bio-diesel on a large scale so that by 2010, all diesel-motorcars and machines could reliably use bio-diesel from jatropha seeds.
Our company has started to grow about 12,000 hectors of land but we are still talking with the government with the aim getting another 50,000 hectors so as to benefit from scale economies.
Our achievement would also translate into national gains, as the economy will save on scarce foreign exchange now spent on importation of fossil diesels from overseas.
How many decent jobs could this epic project generate?
Export Trading is expecting to employ more than 5000 people for the various plantation works and we want to be sure that on or after 2010, we can supply entire national fuel demand and compete with imported fossil fuel products.
To what extent do Tanzania`s physical conditions support jatropha plantation industry?
Tanzania is second to Mali as African pioneers in the use of bio-diesel.
It is understood that jatropha, an inedible crop, is drought resistant plant, and can grow well on lands considered unsuitable for agriculture.
Although Jatropha is commonly planted in Southern America, India and Mali but our research on cultivation and propagation of Jatropha in Tanzania would most likely make our project very successful in short time.
Our results indicate that manure has a positive impact on the growth rate once germination begins. Likewise, the intensity of watering and temperature seems to have a fundamental impact on the germination rate.
What are the other traditional benefits could jatropha render to communities?
The plant has been mostly used by farmers as living fences around their homesteads and gardens, sometimes also around their fields, to protect crops against roaming animals but in Tanzania jatropha is called \'mbono makaburi\' which means plants allocated for the burial ground .
The seeds for a long time did not play any important role, the reason why farmers cannot tell which ones are good yielding plants.
Since flowers of the jatropha plant are only developed terminally, only plants bearing many branches, i.e. with a good ramification, can produce lots of fruits. A good plant should have bunches of jatropha fruits at every end of a branch.
Usually jatropha plants are multiplied by cuttings, because this kind of multiplication is faster than through seed germination. The yields of plantations have not been carefully measured up to now.
Since then, triggered by the ever rising fuel prices, various governments have started jatropha projects.
Briefly, why are several African countries are now resorting to bio-energy especially from jatropha?
The consumption and demand for the petroleum products are increasing every year due to increase in population, standards of living and urbanization.
Diesel consumption pattern especially in Tanzania has not varied much. The increase in fossil oil importation drains up foreign exchange that could be put to other meaningful development causes.
The UN, governments and green activists across the globe are seriously opting for bio-fuels because they are cleaner sources of energy which do not contribute to global warming.
More importantly, bio-diesel can flexibly be applied on mechanical platforms previously running on fossil fuels.
In developed countries, bio-diesel is produced from soybean, rapeseed, sunflower, peanut, etc., which are essentially edible in the Tanzanian context.
Among the various vegetable oil sources, non-edible oils are suitable for bio-diesel production, because edible oils are already in demand and at times too expensive than fossil diesel fuel.
Among the non-edible oil sources, jatropha shell is identified as potential bio-diesel source as compared with other sources.
It grows rapidly, has higher seed productivity and is suitable for tropical and subtropical regions of the world, including Tanzania.
Source: The Guardian, 2007-11-15 09:53:23
JK assures Lindi of reliable power
PRESIDENT Jakaya Kikwete has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to make sure that Lindi Region residents get electricity.
Mr Kikwete gave the assurance yesterday when laying the foundation stone at the Somanga-Sungu power station in the region where he started a six-day official tour of the region.
The contractor of the power station has promised that they would be converting gas into electricity early next year.
The power station will have the capacity to produce six megawatts of electricity that would be supplied to 42 villages in the region. It was earlier slated to start production in April, this year.
Mr Kikwete said the government was committed to uplift the living standards of Tanzanians through the National Strategy for Growth and Reduction of Poverty and that electricity will come to the region as promised.
The president also handed over fishing equipment to residents of Somanga Village. The equipment has been donated by the World Food Programme.
Source: Daily News; Wednesday,November 14, 2007 @00:02
Mwalimu Andoya aokoa kijiji kwa kubuni mradi wa umeme
KATIKA dunia ya sasa watu wamejaliwa kuwa na vipaji vya aina mbalimbali.
Baadhi ya vipaji hivyo vinaweza kuwaletea maendeleo na vingine vinakosa kuendelezwa, kutokana na kukosekana wafadhili wa kuwasaidia watu wenye vipaji hivyo.
Hivi karibuni, Naibu Waziri wa Nishati na Madini, William Ngeleja, alikuwa wilayani Mbinga mkoa wa Ruvuma kujionea hali halisi ya umeme katika wilaya.
Katika safari yake hiyo, Ngeleja alibahatika kukutana na Mkurugenzi wa Mradi wa Ujenzi wa Umeme wa Nguvu ya Maji, Menas Andoya. Mkurugenzi huyo amebuni mradi huo na kuutengeneza katika mto Mtandazi wilayani Mbinga.
Hivi sasa mradi huo unawasaidia wanakijiji hao kukoboa na kusaga nafaka mbalimbali.
Andoya anasema yeye ndiye alibuni mradi huo wa ujenzi wa umeme wa nguvu ya maji. Ulifanyiwa utafiti mwaka 1998 – 2001 na kuupatia jina la Nguvu ya Maji Partnership. Mwaka 2003 mradi huo ulisajiliwa na kuitwa Andoya Hydro Electric Power Co.Limited (AHEPO LTD).
Kitaaluma, Andoya alikuwa mwalimu wa shule ya msingi wilayani humo na baadaye aliamua kujifunza ufundi wa magari.
Ni ufundi huo wa magari ndio uliompatia mwanya wa kuchukuliwa na Mjerumani katika shughuli zake kama fundi magari.
Andoya anasema utaalamu huo ameweza kuupata, kwa sababu alikuwa anafanya kazi na wajerumani.
Anasema kuwa wakati mwingine walikuwa wakikaa maporini, ambapo iliwalazimu kutafuta vyanzo vya mito ili kutengeneza nishati ya umeme, ambayo uliweza kuwasaidia wakiwa huko.
Baada ya muda, Wajerumani hao walirudi kwao na yeye kuamua kurudi kijijini kwake Lufakara, kwa ajili ya kujishughulisha na shughuli nyingine za kumletea kipato.
Andoya anasema kutokana na kupata mbinu mbalimbali za uzalishaji wa umeme, aliweza kubuni mbinu ya kuondoa tatizo la umeme kijijini hapo.
Alianza kwa kufanya utafiti katika misitu na kutembelea vijito mbalimbali, vinavyounganisha mto Mtandazi
Andoya anasema baada ya utafiti huo aliweza kuomba msaada kwa Mhandisi, Godfrey Ndevo, ambaye ni mtaalamu wa mambo ya umemem wa maji.
Ndevo aliweza kumsaidia katika kuhakiki utafiti na kuchukua vipimo vya maporomoko ya maji, kisha kuvipeleka kwa wataalamu wa Shirika la Umeme Tanzania (TANESCO) ili kuthibitisha au kupata uhakika wa utafiti huo.
Andoya anasema mpaka sasa ameweza kutengeneza nguvu ya umeme ya kilowati 30, kwa kutumia nguvu ya maji.
Alifanikisha malengo ya mradi huo, kutokana na ufadhili wa fedha alioupata kutoka kwa Wajerumani, ambao walimpatia kiasi cha Sh milioni 250.
Katika awamu ya kwanza, mradi huo wa umeme wa maji ulikuwa unaendesha mashine za kusaga nafaka na awamu ya pili ilihusu kuwasha taa za umeme wa moja kwa moja, kutokana na betri zinazochajiwa kwa nguvu ya maji. Awamu ya tatu ya mradi huo inahusu kuzalisha umeme, utakaokuwa na nguvu ya megawati 1.2.
Andoya anasema katika kutekeleza mradi huo, amefanikiwa kuanzisha huduma ya kusaga nafaka kwa bei nafuu kutokana na vinu, hivyo kutumia nishati ya nguvu ya maji na mafuta ya dizeli .
Andoya anasema kutokana na nguvu hiyo ya umeme na vinu hivyo, zaidi ya wananchi 600 kutoka vijiji vya Uzena, Mkwaya , Kilimani na Mbangamao, wameweza kunufaika na huduma hiyo.
Aidha, Andoya anasema mashine ya nguvu ya maji aliweza kuiunda mwenyewe, lakini baada ya muda mashine hiyo ilishindwa kufanya kazi, hivyo ilibidi awasiliane na Wajerumani hao na kuweza kumsaidia kumpa mashine ya kuzalisha nguvu ya umeme, ambayo imeweza kumsaidia hadi sasa katika kusaga nafaka kijijini hapo.
Andoya anasema baada ya kutatua tatizo hilo, aliweza kubuni mradi wa pili, ambao ni kuzalisha umeme wa megawati 1.2 kwa kutumia nguvu ya maji.
Andoya anasema anatarajia kuupeleka umeme huo makao makuu ya wilaya hiyo na vijiji vya jirani, ikiwa ni pamoja na kurudisha uoto wa asili kwa kupanda miti na mimea iliyokuwapo awali, hasa kwenye vyanzo vya mito vinavyopeleka maji kwenye mto Mtandazi na kuzunguuka eneo la mradi.
Andoya anasema anasubiri kupata vibali vya serikali ili waweze kuzalisha umeme wa megawati 1.2 .
Andoya anasema sasa hivi anashughulikia kupata kibali kutoka serikalini. Kibali hicho ni cha TANESCO juu ya ununuzi wa umeme huo, kwani TANESCO ndio wenye kibali cha kumiliki umeme huo, hivyo mgunduzi lazima asubiri mazungumzo kati ya TANESCO na serikali ili mgunduzi kukubaliwa kununua umeme huo.
Andoya anasema katika mradi huo, amekwama kupata kibali cha kuutambua mradi huo kutoka Wizara ya Nishati na Madini kupitia TANESCO, ikiwa ni pamoja na cheti cha uhifadhi wa mazingira kutoka Baraza la Taifa la Hifadhi na Usimamizi wa Mazingira (NEMC).
Andoya anasema mradi huo umeshafanyiwa upembuzi yakinifu, ikiwa ni pamoja na utafiti wa athari za mazingira (I.E.A), pia una hati miliki za ardhi na maji na kwamba mamlaka za utoaji wa vibali, leseni na ushauri zimeshirikishwa.
Aidha Andoya anasema awamu ya tatu imeshafanyiwa upembuzi yakinifu, ikiwa ni pamoja na utafiti wa athari za mazingira pamoja na hati miliki za ardhi na maji zimekamilika.
Anasema mamlaka za utoaji leseni na ushauri zimearifiwa na kushirikishwa juu ya mradi huo wa umeme .
Andoya anasema mradi huo utakapokamilika utazalisha uniti 8,400,000 za umeme kwa mwaka, ambapo matarajio ya mapato ya mradi huo kwa mwaka ni Sh 648,000,000.
Anasema mradi huo unatarajiwa kuokoa matumizi ya mafuta ya dizeli ya lita 1,900,000 kwa mwaka.
Anasema mradi huo utakapokamilika, serikali itaweza kupata milioni 30 kwa mwaka kama kodi, inayotokana na uzalishaji huo wa nguvu ya maji.
Andoya anasema mpaka sasa ameweza kuwaajiri wafanyakazi watatu, ambao wanamsaidia kutengeneza mashine na kusaga na kukoboa.
Wakati mwingine wateja wanaokwenda kusaga nafaka wakipungua, husaidiana na wafanyakazi hao kupanda miti kwa ajili ya kuhifadhi mazingira.
Andoya anasema ingawa anapata fedha kidogo, kutokana na mashine hizo, lakini bado hali yake ni mbaya, kwani maendeleo yoyote yanahitaji fedha.
Lakini kama Tanesco watakubali kununua umeme huo, ataweza kunufaika kwa asilimia kubwa kimaisha.
Anaeleza kuwa mradi huo unatarajia kuibua ajira binafsi na kusaidia shughuli za viwanda vidogo vidogo, hospitali, maofisi, viwanda vya kukoboa kahawa, kuinua elimu na kuongeza taaluma ya teknolojia, hasa shule za msingi na sekondari za eneo la mradi huo.
Andoya anasema ameshapanda miche 65,000 ya miti mbalimbali kwenye eneo la mradi, ikiwemo miti 15,000 ya asili, ambayo imeoteshwa na kurutubishwa kwenye viriba kutokana na vikonyo na mizizi na pembezoni mwa barabara. Pia miti ya maembe ili wananchi waweze kupata matunda hapo baadaye.
Mwanakijiji wa kijiji cha Lufakara, Hassani Mwanikola, alimshukuru Andoya kwa kuweza kuanzisha mradi huo wa umeme kijijini hapo.
Anasema hapo awali walikuwa wakipata taabu ya kusaga mazao yao, kutokana na umbali uliopo kutoka vijiji hivyo hadi mjini.
Mwanikola anasema wanapokwenda kusaga nafaka zao, wanatozwa fedha kidogo. Anasema wameweza kupunguza safari za kwenda mjini, kutokana na kupata huduma hiyo kijijini hapo.
Kwa upande wake, Ngeleja alimpongeza Andoya kwa kubuni mradi huo, ambao umeweza kuwasaidia wananchi kukoboa nafaka zao na pia kuweza kuwapatia umeme baadhi ya wananchi.
Ngeleja anasema serikali ya Awamu ya Nne inasisitiza na kutambua michango ya wajasiriamali hasa wawekezaji wazalendo, ambao wanawekeza katika nchi yao, badala ya kuwa wafanyakazi kwa wawekezaji wageni.
Hivyo, alimtaka Ndoya kuwa mvumilivu wakati maombi yake ya kupatiwa leseni ya kuzalisha umeme yakishughulikiwa.
Source: HabariLeo; Thursday,November 15, 2007 @00:04
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
TANESCO yaandaa mikataba kuuziana umeme
Source: Tanzania Daima, 14/11/2007
SHIRIKA la Ugavi Tanzania (TANESCO) kwa ushirikiano na Serikali, linatayarisha mikataba ya msingi ya kununua na kuuziana umeme kwa kupanga bei za umeme katika miradi midogo itakayouza nishati hiyo kwenye gridi ya taifa.
Hayo yalielezwa na Naibu Waziri wa Nishati na Madini, William Ngeleja, alipokuwa akijibu swali la msingi la Mbunge wa Hai, Fuya Kimbita (CCM), aliyetaka kujua mikakati ya kuvifufua vituo vidogo vilivyozalisha umeme siku za nyuma katika baadhi ya maeneo nchini.
Alisema, lengo la kuanzisha utaratibu huo ni kuboresha na kurahisishia kampuni binafsi kushiriki katika miradi midogo ya umeme kwa ajili ya kuimarisha upatikanaji wa huduma ya hiyo na kuongeza kasi ya kuwapelekea wananchi wengi mjini na vijijini huduma hiyo.
Awali, TANESCO ilipokea maombi kutoka kwa baadhi ya kampuni binafsi zenye nia ya kufufua vituo vidogo vya kuzalisha umeme wa maji vya Kikuletwa, Tosamaganga na Mbalizi ambapo shirika hilo lilitangaza zabuni hiyo.
Ngeleja, alisema tathmini ya zabuni hiyo ilionyesha kuwa bei za umeme zilizopendekezwa na wazabuni zilikuwa juu hivyo zingesababishia TANESCO kununua umeme huo kwa hasara.
"Kutokana na mazingira ya sasa kuwa tofauti na ya wakati ule ambapo ilionekana ni vigumu kwa shirika hilo kuingia mikataba na wazabuni waliojitokeza kwa sasa shirika hilo na Serikali wanaanzisha utaratibu huu mpya," alisema Ngeleja.
Alisema, baada ya kukamilika kwa utaratibu huo Tanesco watatangaza zabuni ya kupata kampuni bora ambazo zitaendeleza vituo vya Kikuletwa, Tosamaganga na Mbalizi, ili viweze kuchangia ipasavyo maendeleo ya sekta ndogo ya umeme.
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
TANESCO HAPANA!
Majira
SHIRIKA la Umeme Tanzania (TANESCO) limetangaza gharama mpya za kuwaunganishia umeme wateja wapya.
Katika mabadiliko hayo, gharama za kuunganisha umeme kwa njia moja (single phase) imepanda kutoka sh. 240,000 hadi sh. 563,271.
Mabadiliko hayo ya bei pia ni kwa wanaotaka kuunganishwa umeme wa njia tatu (three phase) ambazo ni kubwa kuliko hizo za single phase.
TANESCO imetoa sababu mbalimbali za kufikia uamuzi huo wa kupandisha gharama hizo za kuunganisha umeme.
Je, kipi kilistahili kuwa cha kwanza kwa TANESCO, kuimarisha huduma zake kwa wateja au kupandisha bei ya huduma inazotoa?
Hilo ndilo swali ambalo bila shaka wananchi wanaotarajia kupata huduma inayotolewa na TANESCO pekee wanajiuliza.
Takwimu zinaonesha ni asilimia kumi tu ya Watanzania ndiyo wanaotumia huduma ya umeme.
Hali hiyo imesababishwa na mambo mbalimbali, moja ikiwa ni kushindwa kumudu gharama za kulipia huduma hiyo ikiwemo ya kuunganishiwa.
Lakini wakati Serikali iko katika kampeni ya kupambana na mazingira ikihamamisha watu waache kutumia kuni na mkaa, TANESCO ndiyo hao wanapandisha gharama za huduma zao.
Kwa hali hiyo ni wazi kuwa kampeni ya kupambana na uhalibifu wa mazingira haitafanikiwa, kwani asilimia ya Watanzania wanaotumia umeme huenda ikashuka badala ya kupanda.
Pamoja ni uamuzi huo wa TANESCO, tunatarajia Mamlaka ya Udhibiti wa Maji na Nishati (EWURA) itasema lolote katika suala hili.
Kama imepitisha bei hizo itakuwa haijatutendea haki wananchi, na kama haijafanya hivyo iingilie kati mara moja.
Source: Majira
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Matema to get electricity
Tanzania Standard Newspapers|Home
Daily News; Thursday,October 25, 2007 @00:04
PREMIER Edward Lowassa on Tuesday promised residents of Matema in Kyela District that the government will make sure that electricity was available from Ipanda to Matema.
Mr Lowassa made the promise to the residents when inaugurating Matema Hospital in Matema Village and reiterated his promise during a public rally at Ipinda Village.
“The Tanzania Electric Supply Company (Tanesco) had initially offered to supply electricity in the area but there were some people who forged a letter posing as lawyers and threatened to go to court if the exercise continued”, he said.
He called the move by the unknown people as devious as it affected the people of the area and promised that electricity would be availed in the area within two years.
“I had been informed by the Regional Commissioner, Mr John Mwakipesile, that there was a person who impersonated an advocate and said that the project cannot go on until the people were compensated and Tanesco decided to stop the exercise”, the premier said.
Tanesco had set aside 600m/- for the project but even after residents of the area claimed that they had not asked for any compensation and that the letter was a hoax, the power utility company has not shown any interest to resume the project.
The electrification of the village would also have supplied electricity to the Matema Hospital which is run by Evangelistic Lutheran Church of Tanzania, Konde Diocese.
“I promise you today that I and your Member of Parliament, Mr Harrison Mwakyembe, will make sure that the villages receive electricity in 18 months’ time”, he said.
Karamagi asisitiza umuhimu wa tekinoljia isiyoathiri mazingira
Karamagi asisitiza umuhimu wa tekinoljia isiyoathiri mazingira
Na Milton Nyirenda, Arusha
MATUMIZI ya nishati mbadala yanayozingatia teknolojia isiyoathiri mazingira ni miongoni mwa njia pekee zinazoweza kuongeza kasi ya maendeleo ya kiuchumi na kukwamua idadi kubwa ya wananchi wanaoishi vijijini barani Afrika.
Kauli hiyo, ilibainishwa na waziri wa Nishati na Madini,� Nazir Karamagi kwenye� mkutano wa kimataifa wa maendeleo na nishati barani Afrika uliofanyika katika hoteli ya kitalii ya Ngurdoto nje kidogo ya jiji la�Arusha.
Karamagi alisema kuwa katika nchi za kusini mwa Jangwa la Sahara ni asilimia tano tu ya wananchi wanaoishi vijijini wanaopata umeme wa gridi na kwamba Tanzania ikiwa miongoni mwa nchi hizo wananchi chini ya asilimia mbili wanatumia nishati ya umeme katika maeneo ya vijijini.
Aliwataka washiriki wa mkutano huo wa siku tatu kufanya tathimini ya kina katika kubaini mapungufu ya miradi ya nishati vijijini inayoendeshwa na nchi sita barani Afrika kwa ushirikiano na serikali za Denmark na Uholanzi ili kuboresha maisha ya wananchi wa vijijini.
Karamagi alisema ili kupunguza umaskini na kuleta mapinduzi ya kiuchumi katika maeneo ya vijijini ni muhimu kujenga miundo mbinu ya uzalishaji wa nishati mbadala itakayochochea viwanda vidogo vidogo na pia kuwapa wananchi fursa ya kuboresha mazao yao.
Kuhusu kupungua kwa kasi ya kujenga miundo mbinu ya usambazaji wa umeme vijijini kwa miaka kumi iliyopita, waziri alisema serikali ilikuwa ikiandaa utaratibu wa kubinafsisha shirika la umeme (Tanesco),
Alisema mpango huo umesitishwa na badala yake serikali inahakikisha kuwa kasi ya kusambaza huduma hiyo kwenye maeneo hayo inaendelezwa ingawa kinachotakiwa ni wananchi kutumia nishati hiyo kibiashara kwa maendeleo yao.
Kwa upande wake meneja wa taasisi ya nishati mbadala ittwayo TATEDO Oscar Lema alisema kuwa taasisi hiyo ilianza kuonyesha matukio katika baadhi ya mikoa ambapo katika wilaya za Monduli na Arumeru imekwisha funguliwa miradi ya uzalishaji wa nishati inayotengenezwa kutokana na zao la Jatrofa.
Ametaja vituo vinavyozalisha umeme huo kuwa ni Longido wilayani Monduli na Leguruki katika wilaya ya Arumeru.
Source: Mwananchi Mwananchi Communication Limited (MCL)
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Artumas to increase power output
Tanzania Standard Newspapers|Home
Correspondent, Mtwara
Daily News; Friday,October 19, 2007 @00:01
THE Government is in talks with the Mtwara-based Artumas Group to increase power generation to 300MW for use in other parts of the country.
"We have talked to them and listed our priorities. We want power from Mtwara to be used within the country and stimulate industries especially those of fertilizer because we are still importing the product,” Deputy Minister for Energy and Minerals William Ngeleja said.
The deputy minister visited Artumas power plant in Mtwara and gas processing facility at Msimbati, where he stressed that the government vision was to see the power generated was utilised in the country but future plans could change.
“The government is very aware of the firm’s plans to increase power production from current six megawatts supplied to Lindi and Mtwara up to 300 megawatts. But we insist that initial plans should not be to export all power, although that could be done at a later stage,” he pointed out.
The Managing Director of Artumas Group Gas Limited, Mr Salvator Ntomola, said his company was enhancing its production, pointing out that the company was at the moment making little profits due to the low production and low demand for power in the two regions.
"Currently we have the capacity to produce up to 24 MW, but because the demand is low here, then our maximum production for both regions is 6MW,” he noted.
He added that discussion with the government regarding the bigger electricity project centered on and around contracts with the government, TANESCO, donors and TPDC among other things.
He stated that the current electricity production plan was not cost effective because only small quantity was produced, which will otherwise require continuous subsidy to meet maintenance and service costs, let alone running costs
Monday, October 22, 2007
Waliounganishiwa umeme kinyemela Arusha wajisalimisha
Majira
Waliounganishiwa umeme kinyemela Arusha wajisalimisha
Na Said Njuki, Arusha
WAKATI Shirika la Umeme Tanzania (TANESCO) likijipanga kukabiliana na hujuma dhidi ya upotevu mkubwa wa nishati hiyo, wananchi wengi waliounganishiwa laini za umeme kinyume cha sheria mjini hapa, wamejisalimisha.
Uchunguzi uliofanywa na gazeti hili umebaini idadi kubwa ya wananchi wamejitokeza katika ofisi za shirika hilo wakiomba kukaguliwa laini zao na hatimaye kusajiliwa rasmi ikiwa ni katika kuonesha kuwa hawataki matatizo.
Mji wa Arusha ni moja ya miji iliyokubwa yenye laini nyingi za umeme zinazodaiwa kuunganishwe kinyume na sheria na watumishi feki wa shirika hilo maarufu kama Vishoka ambao huwadaka wateja halali na kuwaunganishia umeme kinyemela.
Meneja wa TANESCO Mkoa wa Arusha, Bw. Boniface Njombe alikiri kuwepo kwa wimbi hilo la wananchi wanaojisalimisha na kuhitaji kuunganishiwa umeme kihalali ili kuepukana na matatizo yanayoweza kuwapata baada ya kubainika.
Bw. Njombe alisema shirika limejipanga vizuri kukabiliana na hali hiyo ikiwa ni pamoja na kufanya operesheni ya kuwaunganishia wateja wake umeme kwa wakati hali iliyokuwa ikikwamishiwa na uhaba wa vifaa kwa ajili hiyo.
Aliwataka wananchi kuepukana na vishoka ambao wanaweza kuwatia matatani siku zijazo kwa kile alichosema shirika litafanya uhakiki wa uunganishaji wa laini za umeme ili kubaini uhalali wake.
"TANESCO imekuwa ikihujumiwa na vishoka kwa muda mrefu na wakati hujuma hizo zikiendelea, shirika lilikuwa likiendelea kupokea maombi mengine ya kuunganishiwa umeme hali iliyosababisha shirika kushindwa kukidhi mahitaji ya wateja wake hasa kutokana na uhaba wa vifaa," alisema Bw.Njombe.
Aliongeza kwamba shirika limejipanga na kwamba linakabiliana na hali hiyo na siku za vishoka hao kuishi kwa mgongo mwa TANESCO zinahesabika.
Source: Majira, 22/10/2007
Nuclear power proposed to generate electricity
Nuclear power proposed to generate electricity
2007-10-21 16:29:41
By Peter Mwangu
Nuclear energy is the permanent answer to Tanzania`s ailing electricity that consumes billions of Shillings in purchases from private power plants, a seasoned physicist has advised.
The Director General of the Tanzania Atomic Energy Commission (TAEC), Abraham Nyanda, said recently that adopting nuclear technology is becoming increasingly easier today than before as the plants are no longer massive following the technological advancements.
He said during a five-day regional training session on Advanced Detection equipment jointly held between TAEC and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Dar es Salaam that despite initial high costs the operations costs are relatively lower than that of thermal or hydropower plants.
Revealed Nyanda: ``One kilogram of Uranium - 235 is enough to operate a 1,000 Megawatts nuclear powered station for an entire year at the current national power needs of only 600 Megawatts.
The surplus 400 Megawatts can be sold to our neighbours to earn foreign exchange.``
The physicist advised policy makers to consider policy changes, commitment and time to solicit for the needed funds for a nuclear project that will place the country at an immense advantage in the longer terms.``Our leaders need to think ahead of 10 to 30 years not just five election years only.
We need a reliable source of energy if we need to develop economically and attract foreign investment to our country. Issues regarding expatriates remain to be a matter of preparations,`` he said.
Uranium and Plutonium, the main raw materials for nuclear technology, are currently under exploration by the Ministry of Energy and Minerals.
He also said that smuggling of nuclear and other radioactive materials in Tanzania is rampant with 12 incidences recorded since 1998 and many undetected because of the conducive geographical position of the country.
* SOURCE: Sunday Observer
Nuclear power proposed to generate electricity
Akina Richmond Wengine Kuja Kuwekeza Bongo?
Akina Richmond Wengine Kuja Kuwekeza Bongo?
Matatizo ya umeme nchini huenda umekaribia kikomo baada, ya Serikali kukaribisha wawekezaji kama hakutakuwa na longolongo kama zilizojitokeza kipindi cha nyuma.
Rais JK amewambia wafanyabiashara wa Italia kuwa ni ruksa kwao kuja kuwekeza katika umeme ili kulipiga tafu Shirika la Umeme Tanzania (TANESCO).
JK Alisema hayo wakati akizungumza na wafanyabiashara hao kwenye mkutano wa wawekezaji wa Tanzania na Italia, ukiwa ni mwendelezo wa jitihada zake za kutafuta wawekezaji wa ndani na nje.
Uwekezaji kwa upande wa nishati Mashirika mengi yaliibuka na kujikuta ni vimeo katika utekelezaji hali inaweza ikawa ni ileile?
Akina Richmond Wengine Kuja Kuwekeza Bongo?
Saturday, October 20, 2007
‘Elimu ya nishati mbadala yahitajika’
‘Elimu ya nishati mbadala yahitajika’
na Hellen Ngoromera
SERIKALI imeshauriwa kutoa elimu kwa jamii juu ya umuhimu wa matumizi ya nishati mbadala ya mkaa.
Wito huo ulitolewa jana na Meneja Masoko na Uhusiano wa Kiwanda cha kutengeneza mkaa cha East Africa Briquette Ltd chenye maskani yake mkoani Tanga, Happyfania Ngonyani, wakati wa maonyesho ya hatimiliki ubunifu yanayoendelea katika viwanja vya Mnazi Mmoja jijini Dar es Salaam.
Ngonyani, alisema ikiwapo jamii itaelimishwa juu ya matumizi sahihi ya nishati hiyo itasaidia kuhifadhi mazingira na kuhifadhi maliasili zilizopo kwa kuwa hakutakuwa na ukataji miti.
Kwa mujibu wa meneja huyo, kiwanda hicho kilipata ubunifu wa utengenezaji wa nishati hiyo baada ya kujifunza kutoka Afrika Kusini ambao kwa kiasi kikubwa hutumia nishati hiyo.
“Awali tulikuwa na kiwanda cha kukusanya taka zitokanazo na masalia ya shambani kama vifuu vya nazi, pumba na mengine, lakini baada ya kutembea katika nchi za wenzetu tuligundua kuwa wanatumia taka hizo kutengeneza mkaa nasi tukaanzisha kiwanda kwa kazi hiyo,” alisema.
Alisema, kwa sasa soko lao linatokana na upatikanaji wa wateja wengi hasa Afrika Kusini na Oman, huku akibainisha kuwa kwa hapa nchini soko la nishati hiyo ni dogo sana kutokana na wananchi wengi kushindwa kuelewa faida za matumizi ya nishati mbadala.
“Tunapata oda nyingi kutoka kwa nchi za wenzetu kwa siku tunazalisha tani 15 hadi 20 za mkaa…hivi karibuni tulipeleka nje tani 72,” alisema na kuongeza kuwa uzalishaji wa nishati hiyo unawasaidia vijana kupata ajira kwa kuuza malighafi mbalimbali kama vifuu vya nazi na mapipa kiwandani kwao na kujipatia fedha.
Low power demand compels Artumas to produce only 6MW
Low power demand compels Artumas to produce only 6MW
2007-10-20 09:34:28
By Guardian Correspondent, Mtwara
The Managing Director of Artumas Group Gas Ltd, Salvatory Ntomola has lamented that his company was at the moment gaining very little profit due to the low production and low demand of power in the two southern regions.
Ntomola said Artumas has the capacity to produce up to 24 MW, but because the demand is low, maximum production for both regions is 6MW,` he noted.
He said that current electricity production plan was not cost effective because only a small quantity was produced, which will otherwise require continuous subsidy to meet maintenance and service costs, let alone running costs.
`The more power we can produce the more cost effective and profitable our business becomes and that is why we are in discussion with the government for the same,` he noted.
The deputy minister for energy and minerals, William Ngeleja who is on a tour of Mtwara, said at the company premises that the government is in dialogue with the gas company to enable it increase its capacity and produce up to 300MW in Mtwara for use in other parts of the country.
`We have talked to them, and told them about our priorities, that we would like the power to be used within the country to stimulate industries especially fertiliser and gas related factories, since we are still buying fertiliser from abroad.
Ngeleja, visited Artumas power plant in Mtwara town as well as the gas processing facility located at Msimbati.
He said the government is aware of the company`s intention to increase power production from the current 6 MW supplied to Lindi and Mtwara towns up to 300 megawatts.
But, he added that the initial plan should not be to sell the whole big quantity abroad, as that may come later,` he said.
`I have told Artumas that the government is very sincere and cannot give them permission to go ahead on producing that large amount of power and refuse to buy it from them,` Ngeleja explained.
* SOURCE: Guardian
Low power demand compels Artumas to produce only 6MW
Friday, October 19, 2007
DEA Regional Workshop_programme-26sept07.pdf (application/pdf Object)
Please, take note of this important event
DEA Regional Workshop_programme-26sept07.pdf (application/pdf Object)
Monday, October 08, 2007
Tanzania: Dar Plans Power From Sisal Waste
East African Business Week (Kampala)
1 October 2007
Posted to the web 1 October 2007
Mohamed Said
Tanga
Tanzania has registered considerable success in testing the use of sisal waste in generating electricity.
The ongoing pilot project titled "Cleaner Integral Utilisation of Sisal Waste for Bio-gas and Bio-fertilizers" show that the bio-gas which comes from the sisal residue can indeed produce high-voltage electricity.
A bio-gas plant at the Hale Sisal Estate in the Korogwe District in Tanga region has been able to yield 150 kilowatts of electricity which are enough to power a nearby hammer mill for making pulp.
Ms. Mayra Sanchez Osuna, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)'s Project Manager said the project has established the viability of using sisal waste to produce the biogas, electricity and bio-fertilizer.
She said the Hale activity "is the first demonstration project for the total utilization of this commodity in an economically feasible and friendly way adding that the results will be transferred to other interested sisal growing nations to replicate.
Observers say the findings will check the power divide existing between the rural and urban communities. Osuna said that the positive effect was leading to possibility of generating electricity in rural areas from locally available renewable sources.
More than half of the world population has no access to electricity and with the prices of fuel rising relentlessly the search for alternative energy becomes crucial.
Until recently only 2% of the sisal plant was considered to be useful, however recent researches show that the remaining 98 per cent have potential economic value including the generation of electricity from sisal waste which has been discarded in the past.
The Hale project is part of the efforts to find for alternative applications of sisal to counter the present slump in sisal fibre sell after the introduction of synthetic fibres in the international markets.
Patricia Scott, UNIDO representative in Tanzania said it became clear that the future of the sisal industry depend on the diversification of its uses.
Counting the advantages of sisal bio-gas utilization she said it adds value to the sisal waste, it solves environment problems related to the disposal of the waste, it generates energy to be used in the sisal industry, it produces a valuable biological fertilizer, and it reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
The Project cost was estimated at US$ 1,500,812. Financiers include the Common Fund for Commodities (CFC), UNIDO and the Tanzanian Government and the privately owned Katani Limited.
Annual global production of sisal and henequen in 1970 was about 800,000 tones. Both Kenya and Tanzania accounted for over 30 percent of the total.
In 2006, global production was estimated at about 268,000 tones out of which only 22% was produced by Kenya and Tanzania.
The downtrend in sisal production has been attributed to poor marketing arrangements, barriers to free trade, non utilization of the total sisal plant and inadequate research and development.
Other sisal growing nations are China, Brazil, Mexico, South Africa and Mozambique.
Tanzania: Tanesco Tariff Increase On Hold
East African (Nairobi)
25 September 2007
Posted to the web 25 September 2007
Joseph Mwamunyange
Nairobi
The Tanzania Electric Supply Company (Tanesco) will have to wait a bit longer before the Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (Ewura) endorses its proposed increase in power tariffs.
The electricity utility, which recently recorded a first in the region when a syndicate of Tanzania's own local commercial banks and pension funds raised a massive $240 million to fund its recovery, will have to cool its heels until Ewura calls a meeting to discuss its submissions.
Ewura acting director general Anastas Mbawala told The EastAfrican that the process is in the preliminary stages as Tanesco is required to submit detailed information to support its proposed 40 per cent tariff hike.
"The application was as per guidelines requiring the power utility firm to apply for any adjustments. Their application will be made public and comments from the public will then be invited, followed by an evaluation and review of the current tariffs," he said.
Tanesco's recent loan is the single largest corporate finance deal ever in East Africa - bigger even than the KenGen IPO in Kenya in 2004 and far surpassing Safaricom's Ksh12 billion ($179 million) bond issue of 2005 in Kenya.
Arranged by Stanbic Tanzania Ltd, the six-year loan amortises after two years and has a government guarantee.
Stanbic Bank Tanzania, National Microfinance Bank and CRDB Bank are co-arrangers alongside Tanzania Investment Bank, Exim Bank Tanzania Ltd, the Public Service Pensions Fund, the Parastatals Pension Fund, the National Social Security Fund, the Local Authorities Pension Fund and the Government Employees Provident Fund.
The proposed tariff hikes have already met criticism from the Confederation of Tanzania Industries (CTI), which has charged that the proposals could impact negatively on the competitiveness of the country's industrial sector.
CTI chairman Reginald Mengi said members are arguing that some of the costs are not genuine.
Tanesco's recent $240 million loan will go towards strengthening the company's transmission and distribution network in order to reduce power losses, to connect new customers and to train staff to improve customer service delivery.
The World Bank has also promised to give Tanesco $111 million towards improving its network and other aspects related to making the firm more stable.
Hiking of power tariffs is part of the firm's recovery programme, under the Tanesco Financial Recovery Plan (FRP) 2006-2010.
The FRP is developed in such a way as to ensure Tanesco is able to procure, fund and serve an investment stream of Tsh1.275 trillion ($102 million) over the next five years.
Under the FRP, the power utility firm embarked on an ambitious capital expenditure programme to sustain an average load growth of 15 per cent per annum over the next five years.
Ewura regulates the energy and water utilities in the country, which are required by law to obtain permission from the regulator to effect any tariff changes.
Tanesco serves less than one million clients out of a population of 37 million people.
The national electricity coverage is 10 per cent but in most regions is in single digits. Rural coverage is less than two per cent.
ALTERNATIVE ENERGY BLOG - Solar-Energy-Wind-Power.com: Alternative Energy Tanzania: Wave Power to Replace Gas in Zanzibar?
Interesting information here for Zanzibar.........though old. Does anyone know what is the progress todate?
ALTERNATIVE ENERGY BLOG - Solar-Energy-Wind-Power.com: Alternative Energy Tanzania: Wave Power to Replace Gas in Zanzibar?
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Nishati ya miti yachangia kutunza mazingira
Nishati ya miti yachangia kutunza mazingira
Nishati ya miti yachangia kutunza mazingira
2007-09-06 10:37:44
Na Moris Lyimo
Nipashe
Tanzania ni miongoni mwa nchi zinazoongoza kwa kutumia nishati itokanayo na miti hivyo kufanya mabadiliko ya kasi ya tabia nchi.
Ushirikiano wa serikali za Tanzania na Ujerumani (GTZ) umekuja na teknolojia rafiki wa mazingira inayolenga kupunguza matumizi ya kuni na mkaa kwa kutumia majiko yatambulikanayo kama Roketi. Mwandishi Moris Lyimo anaelezea zaidi
Mbinu mbalimbali zimekuwa zikifanyika kupata suluhisho la kudumu la uharibifu na uchafunzi wa mazingira ambavyo vimekuwa na athari mbaya katika maisha.
Uharibifu na uchafunzi wa mazingira unaelezewa kuwa, ni kikwazo cha maendeleo ya nchi zinazoendelea, hasa katika uzalishaji wa mazao, kutokana na mabadiliko ya tabia ya nchi kuwa jangwa na ongezeko la joto.
Nchi zilizo Kusini mwa Jangwa la Sahara zinazotambulikana kama AFRIKUSA zikiwemo nchi za Jumuiya ya Maendeleo ya Kusini mwa Afrika (SADC) zinaongoza kwa kutumia nishati itokanayo na miti.
Tafiti zinabainisha kuwa sababu kubwa ni umasikini wa kipato unaokabili zaidi ya asilimia 70 ya wananchi wake ikiwemo
Tanzania, kutokana na sehemu kubwa ya jamii katika nchi hizo kuishi maisha ya umasikini uliokithiri kwa mfano, kula chakula chenye thamani ya nusu hadi dola moja kwa siku.
Kutokana na hali hiyo, jamii hizo hulazimika kufanya shughuli zenye madhara makubwa kwa taifa, mfano ukataji wa mkaa, uuzaji wa magogo na kuni, lengo ikiwa ni jitihada zao za mwisho katika kujitafutia rikizi.
Matokeo yake mandhari na tabia ya nchi hubadilika na zaidi ongezeko la joto kutokana na ukame, shughuli za uzalishaji mali kusuasua (mfano kilimo) hivyo kuwa na ongezeko la kizazi kinachoishi katika umasikini mkubwa.
Katika kukabiliana na hali hiyo, wataalamu hapa nchini walikwenda nchini Ujerumani kupitia ushirikiano wa GTZ ili kujifunza mbinu endelevu baada ya kuwepo kwa mafanikio makubwa ya teknolojia ya majiko ya Roketi yaliyoanza kutengenezwa nchini humo mwaka 1997 chini ya programu inayohifadhi nishati itokanayo na tungamotaka inayotambulika kitaalamu kama Programme for Biomass Energy Conservation (ProBEC).
Mratibu wa Taifa (ProBEC-Tanzania) Bw.Arfaksad Ndilanha ambaye pia ni miongoni mwa wataalamu wa nchini waliokwenda kujifunza nchini Ujerumani anasema GTZ inaendesha mradi huo katika nchi 8 wanachama wa SADC kati ya wanachama 14 wa jumuiya hiyo.
Chanzo cha mradi huo anasema ni tatizo au kero za nchi za SADC kutokana na wananchi wake kuwa vinara wa ukataji miti kwa ajili ya matumizi ya mkaa ya kuni.
Mbaya zaidi, anasema matumizi hayo si ya kisayansi kutokana na nishati hiyo kupotea ovyo sababu ya mfumo wa mafiga matatu unaotumika zaidi vijijini au matumizi ya majiko ya chuma ya mkaa, ambayo si sahihi kutumika kwenye nishati itokanayo na miti.
``Tumeona matumizi hayo husababisha njaa isiyokoma au kukoma kwa muda katika nchi nyingi za SADC, na nchi nyingine za AFRKUSA...matokeo yake ni umasikini kutokana na kuibuka kwa vikwazo vya shughuli za kilimo, ambapo zaidi ya watu asilimia 90 hutegemea shughuli hiyo na nyingine zinazoambatana,\"anasema.
Vyanzo vingine ni kilimo cha kuhama hama, mmomonyoko wa udongo, uchomaji moto misitu hivyo kusababisha tija kupungua na hatimaye umasikini.
Anasema kabla ya ujio wa teknolojia hiyo, wakuu wa nchi za SADC wamekuwa wakikutana kwa nia ya kupata suluhisho bila mafanikio ambapo kufikia mwaka 2004, teknolojia ya Kijerumani ya majiko ya Roketi iliingia Tanzania na kuanza kutekelezwa mwaka 2005, ambapo nchi za Uholanzi na Ujerumani zilijitokeza kusaidia ufanikishaji wake, ikiwemo kusambaza elimu maeneo yenye matatizo katika nchi hizo kwa awamu.
Awamu ya kwanza ilikuwa 2004/2006 ambapo ilikuwa ni kusambaza teknolojia yenyewe kwa vitendo ya namna ya utengenezaji wa majiko, kutangaza teknolojia yenyewe, na namna ya kutumia majumbani na katika taasisi binafsi na za serikali wakiwemo wafanyabiashara wadogo kama vile mama na baba lishe.
Aidha awamu hiyo ambayo ilikoma Desemba mwaka jana, ilikuwa na shughuli za kuelezea teknolojia ya ProBEC katika nchi zote za SADC baada ya kuonyesha manufaa katika nchi chache ikiwemo Tanzania.
Anasema ingawa walengwa ni waharibifu wakubwa wa mazingira katika nchi hizo, pia lengo ni kuwasaidia watu wenye kipato kidogo mijini na vijijini ambapo pindi watumiapo majiko hayo.
\"Pamoja na kusaidia katika uharibifu wa mazingira na uchafuzi wa mazingira, ni teknolojia nzuri ya kiuchumi kwani mlengwa hutumia fedha kidogo kwa matumizi ya mapishi majumbani, na hata kwenye taasisi...itasaidia sana watu wenye kipato cha chini kwa sababu ya matumizi ya kuni kidogo,\"anasema Bw.Ndilanha.
Nchi zilizowahi kufikiwa na teknolojia hiyo upande wa kusini ni pamoja na Lesotho, Msumbiji, Namibia, Afrika Kusini, na Zimbabwe wakati upande wa kaskazini unazijumuisha nchi za Tanzania, Malawi na Zambia.
Kwa hapa nchini majiko hayo yametengenezwa na kusambazwa katika makampuni ya chai na tumbaku iliyopo katika mikoa ya Nyanda za Juu Kusini, taasisi binafsi na pia kwa wakulima.
Anasema pamoja na makampuni hayo, Jeshi la Magereza pia ni miongoni mwa maeneo yaliyolengwa na teknolojia hiyo, kutokana na ukweli kuwa lenyewe hutumia zaidi nishati ya kuni na mkaa kwa ajili ya kupikia wafungwa.
Hadi sasa, teknolojia hiyo imeonekana kukubalika mapema, hasa baada ya wananchi kuelimishwa namna ya utengenezaji na matumizi yake katika mikoa ya Morogoro, Arusha, Dar Es Salaam, Mwanza na Zanzibar.
Baadhi ya taasisi zilizopatiwa mafunzo ya namna ya kutengeneza na kutumia majiko hayo ni Kanisa la Anglikana Dayosisi ya Ruaha, Kampuni ya Chai ya Kibena ya Njombe mkoani Iringa, wakulima wa tumbaku Iringa, Kampuni ya Chai Mufindi na pia asasi ya Emmanuel International ya Njombe mkoani Iringa.
Nyingine ni kampuni ya chai ya Uniliver na ya tumbaku ya Tukuyu mkoani Mbeya, ingawa anasema mpango ni kufika kila kona na hapa nchi, walengwa wakubwa ni maeneo ya vijijini ambapo hutumia teknolojia dhaifu (mafiga matatu) wakati wa kupika isiyoendana na wakati kwa maana ya kuhifadhi upotevu wa nishati yenyewe.
Mpango wa kuendeleza teknolojia hiyo kwa maeneo mengi, anasema imeingizwa katika awamu ya pili ya progarmu hiyo ( ProBEC phase II) iliyoanza Januari mwaka huu na lengo ni kufikia asilimia 95 ya matumizi yake.
Katika awamu hii ya pili, mpango ni kusambaza majiko ya roketi katika ukanda unaotambulika kama `Uhuru Kordo\' yenye mikoa ya Dar es Salaam, Mbeya, Iringa na Pwani.
Mpango wa baadaye wa GTZ, ni tekonojia hiyo kuwafikia zaidi ya watu wapatao 800,000 ifikapo Mei 2008 inapokoma awamu ya pili ya programu hiyo.
Sanjari na faida za kiuchumi, majiko hayo husaidia usalama wa afya yatumikapo kutokana na kumudu kuhifadhi moshi jambo ambalo huepusha kuathiri mapafu, macho na kuendelea kushusha kinga ya mwili kwa wagonjwa wa ukimwi.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Rural power target pushed to 2013
RODNEY THADEUS
Daily News; Saturday,September 22, 2007 @00:03
THE government has extended to year 2013 the target to provide electricity to 25 per cent of the country, the Minister for Energy and Minerals, Mr Nazir Karamagi, said in Dar es Salaam yesterday.
Mr Karamagi said the target cannot be reached by 2010 as planned earlier because the modality and process of selecting members to form the board that will oversee the project had taken longer than previously expected.
The minister revealed this when launching the Rural Energy Agency (REA) and the Rural Energy Fund as part of the implementation of the project.
He said that in order to meet the target the government has set aside 10bn/- this year for REA rural energy projects. The objective is to ensure the vast majority of rural people have access to electricity, he said.
According to the minister, it was only eight per cent urban and two per cent of rural people who currently have access to electricity. Of the 34 million plus population, the power utility firm –TANESCO’s customer base is estimated at only one million people.
He said that Tanzania’s rural economy would be transformed when agriculture, agro-business, small and medium scale industries and enterprises and commercial establishments have access to and use affordable electricity.
He said that REA would also work with other key service sector institutions, ministries responsible for rural services such as health, education and local government.
The minister also introduced the REA Board of Directors that will be chaired by Mr Singi Madata from the Ministry of Finance. Members include Said S. Said from Tanzania Federation of Cooperatives and Esther Mkwizu from Tanzania Private Sector Foundation.
Others were Onali Salem from Foundation for Civil Society, Martin Kitilla from Regional and Local Government, Rita Akena from Tanzania Bankers Association and Anne-Lie Engvall, an observer from SIDA.
Friday, September 21, 2007
Rural electrification scheme gets USD28m push
Source: The Guardian, July 03, 2007
The government`s rural electrification programme has received a major
financial boost from the mining giant, Barrick Gold Tanzania which has
injected USD28m into the national project.
The latest move comes in the form of public private partnership (PPP) and
would see Barrick Gold Tanzania extending electric poles all the way to the
remote Tarime district, Mara region, eventually integrating the area into the
national power grid.
The company would collaborate with the government through the Tanzania
Electric Supply Company (Tanesco) and an agreement was signed Friday to
usher in commencement of the project.
Speaking during the signing ceremony in Dar es Salaam, Minister for Energy
and Minerals, Nazir Karamagi, said after completion, the project would supply
power at competitive rates to North Mara Gold Mine in particular and to other
investment initiatives around the area.
The project is expected to significantly improve the financial health of
Tanesco as North Mara Mine becomes an anchor customer who is sure and
capable of paying bills appropriately.
The Minister said the electrification of the gold mine would enable Barrick
Gold Tanzania to access clean and cheaper energy source and would also
save the country millions of dollars spent on importing fuel to generate
thermal electricity.
In turn, he said, the foreign exchange thus saved would contribute
significantly to improving Tanzania`s balance of payments and to the stability
of domestic currency.
He said the fourth phase government is committed to expanding access to
electricity to rural and peri-urban areas.
``As you know such projects costs huge monies which the government alone
will not be able to execute at the expected rate but with such collaboration of
public private partnerships we expect to accelerate our programme``, he said.
The initiative would feed into government`s policy goal of increasing access
to electricity to 25 percent of the population by the year 2010. Currently only 10
percent of the country�s populace does have access to electricity and most
of it are urban dwellers.
He said with ongoing development in the power sector it is important to
ensure that there are sets of common and agreed principles to be followed
for the different stakeholders involved in the power sector in order to expand
access to electricity.
Minister Karamagi encouraged other investors to emulate the example
shown by the gold miner.
The mining sector is the fastest growing one and it challenges the
government to seek more investments to generate more electricity, feed it into
the grid and enhance access countrywide.
Gareth Taylor, the Executive General Manager for operations for Barrick Gold
Tanzania, said the project would bring the infrastructure for provision of power
to Tanzanians in the Nyamongo area earlier than may have been planned.
He said project implementation would commence as soon as after
completion of the Environmental Social Impact Assessment (ESIA).
This is a statutory requirement by the government which would ensure that
electrification of the mine would be conducted in a socially responsible and
environmentally friendly manner.
Speaking earlier, the Tarime legislator, Chacha Wangwe, said the project
would provide leverage for localized small and medium enterprises (SMEs),
in turn boosting incomes of the people in the respective areas.
Under this latest public private partnership scheme, North Mara Mine would
be allowed to consumer power freely for a certain period until its costs are
recovered, thereupon starting to pay power tariffs at the going market rates.
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Tuesday, March 13, 2007
JK lists priority investment areas
This is also interesting, the Government recognizes importance of energy. Most important is to put these in practice.
| ASSAH MWAMBENE, Arusha Daily News; Tuesday,March 13, 2007 @00:07 | |
| PRESIDENT Jakaya Kikwete yesterday listed eight key sub-sectors which the government and the private sector should jointly tackle. They include agriculture, tourism and human resource development. Opening the sixth International Investors Roundtable conference here yesterday, Mr Kikwete said: "Our intention is to see increased investment and business in these sectors; we are ready to go to great lengths to ensure that these aspirations are met," Mr Kikwete told the investors, including Unilever boss, Baroness Lyinda Chalker, and the Aga Khan. The other sub-sectors the president listed as a priority for investment are information and communication technology (ICT), manufacturing industries, power, energy and infrastructure. On tourism, Mr Kikwete said that Tanzania requires increased investment in supportive infrastructure and in services like hotels, tour operations and training institutions with a view of increasing tourist volume from the current 650,000 to about one million by 2010. The president told the forum that the government was looking into the possibility of allowing foreign companies to be listed in the Dar as Salaam Stock Exchange (DSE). He said Tanzania would like to find a lasting solution to the electricity problem, adding that the government's present thrust is to have more alternative energy like gas, coal and wind. On the ICT, the president said the government would like to work with the private sector in ensuring that Tanzania becomes part of the global information superhighway, adding that Tanzania has already made major strides in the area through partnership with Microsoft Company. Mr Kikwete informed the meeting that Tanzania was also giving a serious thought to public private partnership in infrastructure development especially in the railways and roads. Agriculture is another area, which the president said needs to be heavily invested, especially in modernising and mechanizing irrigation projects. The conference has been organised by the Tanzania National Business Council (TNBC) and is being held at the Ngurdoto Mountain Lodge near here. |
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Together Unveiling the Untapped Oil and Gas Potential
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Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Msabaha to inaugurate 9KW power plant
I think such small decentralized energy production and distribution systems would be interesting interms of investment costs. But, how is this taken up in policy making for rural energy access?
Msabaha to inaugurate 9KW power plant
2006-09-16 09:51:57
By Michael Haonga
Hundreds of Kinko Villagers in Lushoto District in Tanga Region have been provided with electricity following completion of installation of a 9KW micro hydro-power plant scheduled for inauguration on 21st September 2006 by Tanzania Traditional Energy Development Organisation (TATEDO) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO).
According to a UNIDO Officer in Charge of the UN, Juliet Kabege, all is set for official inauguration of the Micro Hydro Power Scheme at Kinko village on September 21, 2006.
’’We are pleased to inform you that civil works for power generation and distribution as well as installation of equipment has been successfully completed in close collaboration with TATEDO’’, Kabege said.
Inauguration of the first ever joint initiative of TATEDO/UNIDO hydro-power supply scheme in the district will be officiated by the Minister for Energy and Minerals, Dr Ibrahim Msabaha.
The remarkable success to have the scheme operational would not have been possible without active participation by various stakeholders in that endeavour such as the local community and authorities, Tanga Cement and Celtel Tanzania, says the official.
Provision of rural communities with power is undertaken under a UNIDO Rural Energy Initiative Programme being implemented in collaboration with the International Network for Small Hydro Power (INSHP), the Government of Tanzania.
In addition to the supply of power to the villagers, plans are underway for establishment of a community centre with computers and satellite TV in the area as part of the project which started with assessment to that end in 2005 by a team of experts from the aforementioned stakeholders.
Monday, March 05, 2007
Artumas to export power to Kenya
In connection to my earlier posting, there is sufficient power for more than 10% of Tanzania's population, and more sources of electricity will be developed. At the m0ment it may seem interesting to export for earning foreign currency. However, the gas reserves should also contribute to the development of the country through increasing energy access for the rest of 90% of the population who dont have access to electricity.
Artumas to export power to Kenya | |
Correspondent, Mtwara Daily News; Friday,February 23, 2007 @00:04 | |
| KENYA has shown interest to buy surplus electricity to be produced by the Artumas Company from its installations at Mnazi Bay in Mtwara Region, the Minister for Planning Economy and Empowerment, Dr Juma Ngasongwa, said here yesterday. Speaking to journalists and Mtwara Region officials after touring the installations, Dr Ngasongwa said the project would generate power that was enough for various small and medium industries in Lindi and Mtwara regions, as well as 300 mega watts for export to neighbouring Kenya. The minister said export of energy would not only earn the country foreign exchange, but boost the economy. He, however, cautioned the firm on export of gas, saying instead the value added products like fertilizer and electricity could be sold abroad to earn the country more money. ‘‘I am informed there are many countries and foreign firms that have shown interest in buying gas from Mnazi Bay. It is not a bad idea, but you will earn more from selling value added products,’’ he stressed. Giving an example, he said, Artumas could sell gas to South African chemical and fertilizer manufacturers who would in turn export their products to Tanzania and elsewhere. ‘‘Why can’t we make those fertilizers for our own consumption and export the surplus,’’ he asked? |
Friday, March 02, 2007
1.5TR/- NEEDED FOR RURAL POWER in Tanzania
Please have a look at the statements by this government official as appeared in one of the local papers. This is significant amount of money. It can be difficult for the government to invest all this money in near future and provide electricity to almost all people in the rural areas, the 80% of the Tanzanian population. 1.5TR/- NEEDED FOR RURAL POWER | |
| VERONICA SIMBA Daily News; Thursday,March 01, 2007 @00:05 | |
| ABOUT 1.5tr /- is needed to supply electricity in all areas of the country, Assistant Commissioner for Energy and Petroleum Affairs, Mr Theophilo Bwakea, said yesterday. Mr Bwakea, who spoke to reporters after attending a consultative meeting for electricity stakeholders in Dar es Salaam, said the amount is for transmission and fixing of networks. Speaking earlier at the opening of the meeting, Deputy Minister for Energy and Minerals William Ngeleja said the government was in the final stages of establishing the Rural Energy Agency (REA) with the objective of fostering development of energy services in the rural areas. "This is because access to electricity for the Tanzanian community is exceptionally low, at 10 per cent of the population, out of which only 1 per cent is in rural areas," he revealed. The electricity stakeholders' meeting was organised by the Energy and Water Utility Regulatory Authority (EWURA) to deliberate and share experiences on a number of critical issues concerning the energy sector. Mr Bwakea said currently there is an investment in the energy sector, which will soon make the country stop relying entirely on unreliable hydroelectricity. He said energy supply has started exceeding the demand due to increased investments in the sector. "Currently, we are able to produce 900 megawatts while the consumption is only 650 megawatts," he explained. |
