MWE Correspondent
President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, has officially launched the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project (JNHPP), a major power generation facility with an installed capacity of 2,115 megawatts (MW).
The inauguration ceremony took place today, August 22, 2026, at the project site in Rufiji, Pwani Region, marking a major milestone in Tanzania’s efforts to strengthen electricity generation capacity and improve national energy security.
President Samia was joined by several senior government officials and dignitaries, including Vice President Dr. Emmanuel Nchimbi, Prime Minister Dr. Mwigulu Nchemba, Prime Minister of the Arab Republic of Egypt Moustafa Madbouly, and Minister for Energy Deogratius Ndejembi.
Other government leaders and invited guests also attended the ceremony to witness the official commissioning of the strategic energy project.
The launch marks the culmination of one of Tanzania’s largest strategic infrastructure projects, which was financed through domestic resources by the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania.
The project cost approximately 7.452 trillion Tanzanian shillings, equivalent to about US$3.35 billion.
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Construction of the JNHPP began in June 2019 and was completed in March 2025, paving the way for the facility to contribute significantly to Tanzania’s electricity supply.
With an installed capacity of 2,115MW, the project has substantially increased the country’s electricity generation capacity and is expected to play a key role in improving the reliability and security of power supply.
Tanzania’s total installed electricity generation capacity has now reached approximately 4,075MW, with the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project alone accounting for more than half of the country’s total installed capacity.
The project is therefore expected to strengthen Tanzania’s ability to meet growing electricity demand while supporting industrialisation, investment and economic activities that depend on a reliable power supply.
The official launch of the JNHPP represents a significant milestone in Tanzania’s long-term energy development strategy and the government’s efforts to expand access to reliable and sustainable electricity.
