DODOMA: TANZANIAN residents in parts of Dodoma and Iringa regions are set to receive more reliable electricity following the completion of a major 10bn/- upgrade to the Mtera Power Station substation.
The modernisation project has increased the Mtera dam’s current electricity generation capacity to 80 megawatts (MW) and will stabilise power supply for key economic activities in the area, officials confirmed.
Deputy Minister for Energy, Salome Makamba, made the announcement recently after inspecting the dam and generation infrastructure, assuring residents of Mpwapwa, Chamwino and Kibakwe districts in Dodoma, as well as Isimani in Iringa, of stable and reliable power access.
“This equipment, which cost 10bn/-, has been completed and will be launched very soon. Now miners, farmers and residents of these areas will access reliable electricity and be able to carry out their economic activities without inconvenience,” Ms Makamba noted.
To ensure the people fully benefit from the upgrade, the Deputy Minister directed the Tanzania Electric Supply Company (Tanesco) to plan all maintenance schedules during low-consumption hours to avoid disrupting production activities.
She insisted that repairs should not necessitate switching off power during peak hours.
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Tanesco’s Deputy Director for Electricity Distribution Services, Athanasius Nangali, confirmed that the major renovations have resulted in Mtera’s current 80 MW generation capacity.
He added that the station has also integrated Rural Electrification Agency (REA) infrastructure to serve residents in neighbouring rural districts.
Ms Makamba also noted that water levels at Mtera are currently good and sufficient to continue generating electricity until the next rainy season, attributing this to strong environmental conservation efforts.
“The Mtera Dam is also crucial for power generation at Kidatu and the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Plant. Energy is the backbone of the nation’s economy. We must protect the environment so power generation remains sustainable,” she insisted.
Mr Nangali urged citizens to take the lead in protecting infrastructure and reporting individuals who vandalise it.
“By protecting infrastructure, we protect our economy,” he said.