The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Energy, Engineer Felchesmi Mramba, has clarified that Tanzania’s decision to purchase electricity from Ethiopia through Kenya to Namanga, Arusha, will enhance power supply in the northern regions.
Speaking to journalists on Monday in Dar es Salaam, Mramba stated that the primary goal of buying or selling electricity is to strengthen national power grids and reduce costs. Given Tanzania’s geographical position, the country will leverage electricity markets in East and Southern Africa for both imports and exports.
He explained that the northern regions currently rely heavily on electricity generated in the southern regions. Therefore, this move benefits both sides, as the same transmission route used to buy electricity from Ethiopia will also facilitate the sale of electricity to other countries in need.
“These agreements are two-way. At times, we will buy electricity, and at other times, we will use the same route to sell power to neighboring countries. For now, considering the energy situation in the north, we will be purchasing more than we supply. However, there will be times when they may need electricity, and we will use the same route to deliver it to them,” Mramba said.
This government clarification comes after public debate over the weekend following President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s announcement while inaugurating the $154 million Same-Mwanga-Korogwe Water Supply Project. The President stated that to ensure stable electricity supply in northern Tanzania, the government plans to purchase power from neighboring countries.
Mramba emphasized that power trading between countries is not a new practice. Tanzania has long been purchasing electricity from Uganda for the Kagera region, Zambia for Rukwa, and Kenya for some border areas in Tanga.
Additionally, he noted that Tanzania is constructing a power transmission line to Zambia. Once completed, this project will provide an opportunity for Tanzania to export electricity to Southern African countries.
Tanzania is part of the Eastern Africa Power Pool (EAPP) and the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP). While the SAPP market is already operational for countries with completed infrastructure, Tanzania is advancing the TAZA project. Once finished, this project will enable Tanzania to utilize electricity generated from the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Plant and other sources to export power to Southern Africa through SAPP.
