The Julius Nyerere Hydroelectric project is set to deliver its first power in June 2022. The Tanzanian government made the announcement and said the decision follows the project’s progress.
Minister of Energy, accompanied by Assem Gazzer said the project is already 62.7% complete with current focus on installation of the turbines. The hydropower project is set to be the largest in the East African Community (EAC). It is being built on the banks of the Rufiji River in eastern Tanzania and will cost US $2.9 billion.
Already the first of nine turbines, each with a capacity of 235 MW has been installed. This hydropower plant will have a total capacity of 2,115 MW and will produce 5,920 GWh of energy annually upon full operation expected to be by 2027.
Also Read:First turbine installed at Julius Nyerere Hydroelectric project in Tanzania
The generated energy will be fed through a new 400 kV high voltage line to the substation, where the energy will be fed into the national grid. The 134 metres (440 ft) arched, concrete dam is expected to create a reservoir lake, 100 kilometres (62 mi), in length, measuring 1,200 square kilometres (460 sq mi), with 34,000,000,000 cubic metres (1.2×1012 cu ft) of water.
Julius Nyerere Hydroelectric project is being built through a joint venture of two Egyptian companies, the Arab Contractors Company and Elsewedy Electric, and will secure a clean power supply for more than 60 million Tanzanians as well as control water flow during flooding.
The project is owned and will be managed by the government owned Tanzania Electric Supply Company (TANESCO). It is expected to enhance access to affordable electricity which will propel economic growth as well as attract investment in the country. It will also transform the country through generation and supply of reliable electricity for both domestic and industrial use.
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