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Tanzania is on the brink of a major milestone with the nearly finished Julius Nyerere Hydroelectric Power Project (JNHPP).
The project, which has already seen 95.8% of its total cost paid, is expected to bring a fresh wave of relief for the country’s energy sector and may even pave the way for lower electricity prices in the future.
The government spokesperson and Director of Information Services, Gerson Msigwa, shared the latest updates at a press conference held at the JNHPP site. Msigwa highlighted that the project is making significant progress, with eight turbines now in operation, generating 1,880 megawatts of electricity for the national grid. This is just shy of the country’s peak demand of 1,900 megawatts, which occurred in December.
“If we decided to power up the turbines today, we’d be able to meet the country’s electricity needs and announce it nationwide,” Msigwa explained, emphasizing the potential of the project to completely transform Tanzania’s power supply.
The JNHPP, situated on the Rufiji River, has a massive capacity of 32 billion cubic meters of water. It is more than just a power generation project—it will also support irrigation for agriculture and boost fish farming, providing diverse economic opportunities for Tanzanians across the country.
Originally launched in 2019 under President John Magufuli, the project experienced delays, with work stopping at 33% completion. But in 2021, President Samia Suluhu Hassan took charge and helped push the project to nearly full completion, now standing at an impressive 99.8%.
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Msigwa also explained the cost advantages of hydropower, noting that it is far more affordable than other sources. “One unit of hydropower costs about 30 Tanzanian Shillings to produce, while oil-based electricity costs around 940 Shillings per unit. Gas-generated electricity, which has also contributed to our progress, costs about 170 Shillings per unit,” he said.
With the project nearing its completion, Tanzania is set to experience not only a more reliable power supply but also more affordable electricity. This will have a significant impact on key sectors like agriculture and fishing, creating new opportunities for growth and prosperity.
The success of the JNHPP marks a major step forward in Tanzania’s efforts to harness renewable energy and meet the growing demands of the nation.
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