Tanzania shuts down five hydropower plants, amid s...

Tanzania shuts down five hydropower plants, amid surplus power on grid

Oscar J Jeke

ZIM NOW REPORTER

Tanzanian has shut down five of its hydropower plants, in order to reduce excess electricity in the national grid, with the country experiencing its first surplus despite experiencing chronic power shortages a few months ago.

The development comes as the nation experienced heavy rains that have filled the newly-commissioned 2 115 Mega Watt Julius Nyerere Dam, with the Tanzanian Electric Supply Company having to shut hydroelectric stations as a result.

From demand statistics of August 2023, Tanzania consumes about 1 482.80 MW, against a production capacity of at least 2 135MW, resulting from the launch of the first turbine of the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Plant being connected to the national grid.

In a statement, an official of TANESCO, who spoke to BBC, said that the demand for electricity in the country is low, hence the turning off of major plants.

“We have turned off all these stations because the demand is low and the electricity production is too much, we have no allocation now,” the official is quoted saying.

Tanzania Prime Minister, Kassim Majaliwa also announced the development noting that the shutdown of the five hydroelectric stations in the country were done to reduce excess electricity market the national grid, with the main Mwalimu Nyerere Hydroelectric Station producing enough electricity to power major cities that include the capital Dar es Salaam.

Tanzania becomes first among other African countries to experience a power surplus, with mostly Southern African nations like Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa grappling with power shortages, which has forced them to introduce lead-shedding.