Energy Access in Tanzania

=Overview= According to the latest data from the World Bank (2011), only 15 percent of the population in Tanzania had access to electricity. This figure is lower than in Tanzania’s neighbouring countries of Kenya and Mozambique. In 2011, 19 percent of all Kenyans and 20 percent of Mozambicans had access to electricity. In rural areas, the electrification rate in Tanzania is only seven percent. A consultant commissioned by the Rural Energy Agency estimated that by the end of 2013 about 18% of the Tanzanian households were electrified. With an installed capacity of 773MW, Tanzania is the least electrified nation in East Africa with over 7.2 million households off-grid, according to the World Bank. The value lost due to electrical outages was 18 percent of the total sales in 2013. The majority of Tanzanians rely on bio-fuels and waste such as firewood for heating and cooking.

=Connection charges= According to the World Bank, the average delay of obtaining an electrical connection in Tanzania was 51 days in 2013. Minimum connection charges are US $ 94 for a single phase connection to the national utility in rural areas and US $ 168 for a single phase connection in urban areas. These costs increase with distance from the national power grid as well as other factors. The high connection fee is a leading barrier to increased electricity connectivity. =Recent Developments= In the beginning of 2014, the Rural Energy Agency (REA) signed agreements for a programme to supply electricity to 14 regions in Tanzania. These regions are Simiyu, Katavi, Shinyanga, Njombe, Tabora, Mwanza, Mtwara, Singida, Kilimanjaro, Iringa, Mara, Dodoma, Arusha and Ruvuma. Tanzania will spend US $ 300 million for the rural electrification programme until 2017. The plan includes harnessing six new hydro-power plants on waterfalls of Darakuta in Babati, Lingatunda in Songea, Luswisi in Ileje, Macheke in Ludewa, Mwago in Kasulu and Nole-Ihalula in Njombe.

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