By Nicodemus Ikonko
Tanzania is set to import 100 megawatts (MW) of electricity from Ethiopia through Kenya to address voltage outages in northern regions, including Arusha, Kilimanjaro, and Tanga.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan announced at a public meeting in Mwanga District, Kilimanjaro Region, recently that Tanzania would be purchasing electricity from Ethiopia.
Explaining why Tanzania is turning to Ethiopia for electricity, the Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Information and Chief Government Spokesperson, Mr. Gerson Msigwa, stated that the initiative aims to stabilize voltage fluctuations and ensure a reliable power supply to the three regions.
Arusha – Namanga power lines
According to Mr. Msigwa, the electricity will be tapped from Ethiopia’s lines at Kenya’s Suswa substation, transmitted to Arusha, and integrated into the National Grid. He explained that long-distance electricity transmission results in power losses of between 17 and 20 percent. However, supplying it from a nearby source, such as the Kenyan border in this case, helps to minimize these losses.
Apparently, he was responding to concerns as to why Tanzania should import electricity while it had surplus production close to double its needs. The project is part of broader regional efforts to enhance energy security and connectivity. Tanzania’s power grid is already interconnected with Kenya’s, facilitating the smooth flow of electricity from Ethiopia.
