Dar es Salaam – Power productivity has been hit hard by the recent drought in Tanzania. Up to 250 megawatts of power generation has been cut in the country and this has led to electricity rationing. The energy ministry said water levels in the hydro dams have been dropped significantly.
The top second economy in East Africa is now facing frequent power outages and this is largely hurting the productivity in businesses.
Releasing a statement the energy ministry said there are initial deficit of about 450 megawatts of power in the country and after switching on to new power generation the shortage is now reduced to about 200 megawatts to 250 megawatts.
The statement added the country need to generate 1,332 megawatts of electricity to overcome the shortage and avoid such frequent power cuts. However, the current power generation is only 719 megawatts and this has given rise to electricity rationing.
The ministry also added further the drought has affected five hydro power stations and the sixth plant was shut down as the drought has continued longer than expected.
The power supply may return back to normal from October 20, said government. The gas-fired power turbines will be switched on thereafter.
The country very recently kicked off a $1.33 billion project to pipe natural gas from Mtwara to Dar es Salaam, about 532 km and funded by Chinese loan. After the completion of the project there won’t be any power shortages in the city.
Dar es Salaam consumes at least 50 percent of the total electricity supply in the country.
