Tanzanian power utility Tanesco wants to build solar plants across six regions. Successful projects will range from 20 MW to 50 MW in size and the tender has been launched as the nation tries to ramp up solar’s share of its energy mix. The Dodoma region, that includes the Tanzanian capital, will be one of the areas to benefit from solar under the utility's plans. Image: afromusing/Flickr Tanzania’s state-owned power utility the Tanzania Electric Supply Company Ltd (Tanesco) has issued a request for qualification for the construction of several large-scale PV projects with a combined capacity of 150 MW. Through the tender, Tanesco aims to procure power generation from plants in the regions of Dodoma, Singida, Shinyanga, Mwanza, Simiyu and Iringa over the next two years, according to the document. The selected projects will be between 20 MW and 50 MW in size, and developers will have to undertake feasibility studies and finance, build, own, operate and transfer the projects. Project proposals must be submitted by October 19. African nation could obtain all its power from renewables by 2050 If implemented, the tender scheme would be the first real attempt to bring large-scale solar to the sub-Saharan African nation. With a population of around 59 million people and access rates to electricity ranging around 32%, Tanzania has implemented mini-grid solar projects to improve the share of renewables in its energy mix. The last two projects of this kind are being implemented by Tanzanian mini-grid operator Jumeme Rural Power Supply Ltd. Around 57% of Tanesco’s installed power generation capacity comes from 696.3 MW of thermal gas and diesel power plants, with the remaining 43% represented by 561.8 MW of hydropower. The company operates a further 52.2 MW of off-grid diesel plants. According to a recent study published by the Institute for Sustainable Futures of the University of Technology Sydney, the Climate Action Network Tanzania, Bread for the World and the World Future Council, Tanzania has the potential to cover its electricity demand entirely from renewables by 2050. Emiliano joined pv magazine in March 2017. He has been reporting on solar and renewable energy since 2009. More articles from Emiliano Bellini
The Tanzania Electric Supply Company has launched its first utility-scale solar tender, offering 150 MW for projects between 20 MW and 50 MW. In the first real drive to bring solar to the sub-Saharan region, the company aims to procure power for areas including Dodoma, Mwanza and Iringa, in the next two years. “Solar is a very important part of our energy mix because it can be used as an alternative source of electricity when there are no other options,” said CEO John Mwangi. The deadline for submissions is 19 October. Tanzania's power generation capacity is split between thermal gas and diesel, and hydropower, but a recent study revealed it could potentially cover all its electricity demands with renewables by 2050.