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EU support to Rural Electrification Initiatives in Tanzania

16.03.2017
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Thursday 16 March, Dodoma: The European Union (EU) and the Government of Tanzania has signed a grant contract amounting to EUR 8 million for construction of a 220/33 kV substation in Kilombero and 70 km extension of distribution power lines in Kilombero and Ulanga Districts. The EU provides EUR 6.5 million (approximately TZS 15.3 billion) and the government contributes EUR 1.5 million (approximately TZS 3.5 billion) of the funding.

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Thursday 16 March, Dodoma: The European Union (EU) and the Government of Tanzania has signed a grant contract amounting to EUR 8 million for construction of a 220/33 kV substation in Kilombero and 70 km extension of distribution power lines in Kilombero and Ulanga Districts.  The EU provides EUR 6.5 million (approximately TZS 15.3 billion) and the government contributes EUR 1.5 million (approximately TZS 3.5 billion) of the funding. This funding emanate from 10th European Development Fund (EDF) to support the SAGCOT Initiative (Southern Agriculture Corridor of Tanzania) with the aim to establish enabling conditions for sustainable agriculture transformation in SAGCOT clusters.

This project will improve living conditions for people in rural areas through better access to reliable electricity. It addresses the challenges of the long distances between the main lines (substations) and end users with further grid extension (MV lines) and connections. It will also create potential for investment in agriculture (agro-processing industries) value chains and improved services.

Speaking during the signing ceremony, the EU Head of Cooperation, Mr. Jose Correia Nunes said that ''access to energy is a critical element to empower people. Ensuring access to affordable, reliable clean and modern energy is a key area of European Union engagement with the Tanzanian government. Sustainable energy is central to addressing the challenge of poverty reduction and ensuring inclusive, equitable and climate friendly economic growth".

Speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Finance and Planning, the Deputy National Authorizing Officer of the European Development Fund, Mr. Godlove Stephen stressed that "Tanzania has the long term strategy, the National Development Vision 2015 and five year Development Plans, with the objective of meeting the needs of the fast growing population and lift the country out of poverty. It is estimated that power supply will have to increase to 10 000 MW to sustain the economic growth required to transform Tanzania into a middle income country by 2025. EU support will fast track these plans, including the objective of increasing connectivity rates to 75% by 2025"

The Director General of the Rural Energy Agency (REA), Eng. Gissima B. Nyamo-Hanga said that "REA's Five Year Strategic Plan 2016/17-2020/21 seeks to contribute to a Government target of electrifying 7,873 villages that remain unelectrified to date by year 2021. Turnkey phase III Rural Electrification Programme is REA's programme to accelerate electricity access in rural area".

Background:

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Category
Press releases
Location

Tanzania

Editorial sections
Tanzania