- Tanesco’s revenue collection has decreased from TZS 800 million to TZS 700 million since power supply rationing began in the region.
- Residents in the Rukwa region have suffered power outages for five months due to mechanical faults in the 10KVA transformer.
Tanzania Electricity Supply Company (Tanesco) has assured residents in Rukwa Region that a 15MVA transformer project will be completed in April of this year. Ms Tupokigwe Gwakisa, Tanesco Rukwa Region Customer Relation Officer, stated that when the project is completed, it will enable the supply of power to the entire region and some parts of the Mlele District in the Katavi Region.
Residents have been subjected to power outages for the past five months due to mechanical faults in the 10KVA transformer, now beyond repair. Ms Gwakissa noted that the power supplied to the Rukwa Region and a portion of the Mlele district in Katavi is generated in the Mbala area in neighbouring Zambia.
Mr Joseph Mkirikiti, Rukwa Regional Commissioner, stated that the power utility firm should be more transparent and inform the public of power rationing schedules. The Regional Commissioner also stated that there are plans to connect Sumbawanga Town to the national grid, which runs from Makambako to Tunduma Township in the Songwe Region. “The 400KV double line projects will connect Sumbawanga Town to the national grid via backbone transmission,” he said. The World Bank (WB) is funding the project, and the process of hiring a contractor has begun.