Electrifying Rural Tanzania (Development Phase)

In the Kagera region (Biharamulo and Ngara) 1 to 2 percent of the rural population has access to electricity and in the Katavi region (Mpanda) this is 4 percent. These rates are very low also compared to the national Tanzanian level of 10%. The district capitals of Mpanda Biharamulo and Ngara are not connected to the national electricity grid. They are served by decentralized networks powered by stand-alone diesel generators. Being far beyond their economic lifespan (being 20-30 years old) these generators need to be replaced. They are highly inefficient using twice as much fuel as modern generators and producing at about 30 percent of their capacity. Within 12 to 18 months their production can no longer be guaranteed. About 20,000 persons are currently dependent on these sources for their electricity. Many others in the districts are still waiting for electrification altogether. The project is defined as the upgrade and extension of the local electricity networks in the Biharamulo, Ngara and Mpanda townships that operate separately from the main electricity network. After implementation of the project approximately 100,000 people will get access to electricity, about 80,000 of these are new users and about 20,000 are existing users whose access is secured by the new generator sets. In all three project areas a small number of businesses is expected to be connected. The electrification rate will increase from about 2 percent to about 9 percent. Which is almost equivalent to the national average.