Tanzania rations power faced with severe drought

January 3, 2023

(3 minutes read)

Tanzanian authorities have started rationing electricity because of a drop in hydropower generation due to prevailing drought conditions in the East African region. Because of that, some areas are set to suffer nine-hour electricity outages. Tanzania has the capacity to generate nearly 1,695 megawatts through hydropower, natural gas, and other means

Currently, the East African country is facing a shortage of between 300 and 350 megawatts because of the prolonged drought and ongoing maintenance in some of the plants.

The affected plants include Kihansi in the southeast Morogoro region, whose capacity has fallen from 180 megawatts to just 17 megawatts. Lower water levels have forced plants to cut down the production of electricity. These glitches are happening while the country is trying to up the hydropower capacity, including through the ongoing construction of the controversial Julius Nyerere dam project in the Selous Game Reserve. This project is expected to produce 2,100 megawatts once it becomes operational.

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Tanzania, like its East African neighbours, has been experiencing poor rainfall and delayed monsoons. Authorities have imposed water rationing in Dar es Salaam last month due to a drought-induced fall in water levels. Kenya, Somalia, and Ethiopia are in the grip of the worst drought in four decades. These countries have experienced four failed rainy seasons, which grossly affected livestock and crops.