An Initial 150 MW of Solar Energy will be Added to the Grid by a Government Owned Solar Power Plant

Posted on : Thursday , 21st August 2025

Tanzania Electric Supply Company (Tanesco) plans to launch a 50-megawatt solar power project in Ngunga village, Kishapu District, Shinyanga Region, this October.

The project will eventually contribute 150 megawatts (MW) to the National Grid and is Tanzania's first wholly government-owned solar plant.

The project will proceed in two phases, according to Innocent Luoga, Commissioner for Electricity and Renewable Energy, who told The Citizen. The first phase, starting in December 2023, will deliver 50MW and conclude by October 2025. Phase two will commence in October 2025 and finish in March 2027, contributing an additional 100MW. Luoga noted that the project, with a total investment of Sh323 billion, is overseen by Tanesco's in-house experts.

Dr. Doto Biteko, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy, laid the initiative's foundation stone in March of last year.

According to Dr. Doto Biteko, the project includes building a 33/220kV substation, installing 150MW of photovoltaic panels, and constructing a 220kV transmission line between Singida and Shinyanga to connect to the National Grid.

The French business JV Artelia is providing advisory services, while Sinohydro Corporation Limited, a Chinese corporation, is spearheading the construction.

Over 600 jobs will be created during construction, and the project is anticipated to increase the nation's electricity generation and decrease its reliance on fossil fuels.

The Lake Zone will have better access to electricity, draw in investment, boost economic expansion, and use clean energy to lessen its adverse effects on the environment.

"This enhances national energy security and represents a significant turning point in Tanzania's transition to renewable energy," Luoga stated.

Dr. Biteko notified the Parliament approximately three months ago that there were numerous more privately owned solar power projects in various stages that had the potential to generate at least 114 megawatts of electricity. SSI Energy in Kahama and Ikina in Geita are two of these; they will each generate 10 megawatts, while Nyasoro in Bunda and Isangawana in Chunya will each generate 8 megawatts.

The Julius Nyerere Hydropower Dam alone provides 2,115 MW of Tanzania's 4,031.71 MW installed electrical production capacity, as stated by Dr. Biteko.