Tanzania’s power import deal has taken shape as the agreement was finalized with Kenya to receive electricity from Ethiopia. The import scheme is to be done through the completed Isinya-Singida interconnector. Moreover, the deal is expected to boost regional supply issues in Tanzania’s northern zones. This is a monumental step in integrating East Africa’s power markets under the EAPP. Beyond imports, it positions Tanzania as a future exporter through the forthcoming Tanzania-Zambia interconnector. The scheme is part of the larger Southern African Power Pool, which will facilitate the Mission 300. Spanning about 507 kilometers, the 400 kV Isinya-Singida transmission line will be energized and used for operations. Kenya contributed 96 kilometers of the interconnector while Tanzania contributed 414 kilometers. The interconnector has a 2,000 MW transfer capacity which forms part of the East Africa Electricity Highway. It is expected to integrate 13 Eastern Africa Power Pool (EAPP) member countries.
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Kenya-Tanzania Power Interconnection Project
The Scope of Agreement on Tanzania’s Import Power Deal with Kenya
The scope of agreement on Tanzania’s import power deal with Kenya entails more than 100 MW of power supplied from Ethiopia. Tanzania intends to import electricity from Ethiopia via Kenya under the Ethiopia–Kenya–Tanzania (EKT) wheeling arrangement. Initially 100 MW, the electricity is planned to rise to 200 MW within three years. A formal power exchange agreement was signed between Kenya Power and TANESCO. Furthermore, a transmission access (wheeling) agreement with KETRACO was also signed, enabling Tanzania to purchase the power through Kenya’s grid. Despite national generation capacity reaching approximately 1,694 MW (excluding the 2,115 MW Julius Nyerere Hydropower Plant), Tanzania faces regional supply deficits.
Particularly this is clear in the Northern Zone due to transmission losses from long distances and inefficiencies, costing nearly Ksh.32 billion annually. Imports help stabilize power supply in regions far from central generation hubs, ensuring reliability despite overall domestic sufficiency. The entire interconnector project cost is approximately $309.26 million (-Ksh.41 billion), financed jointly by the Government of Kenya and the African Development Bank. Tanzania is positioned as a pivotal hub bridging EAPP (East Africa) and SAPP (Southern Africa) markets. It will unlock economic returns from exporting surplus generation.
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Construction of Isinya (Kenya)-Namanga (Tanzania) electricity transmission line completed
World Bank approves US $455 m loan for Tanzania power projects
