Intelligence outfit claims Kenyerezi I running under capacity

By Prosper Makene

Tanesco�s Managing Director Felchesmi Mramba

 A prominent business and market espionage outfit based in France has said that the recently inaugurated Kinyerezi 1power plant in Dar es Salaam was running under capacity.

 

However, the power utility has dismissed Africa Intelligence’s claim saying it was unfounded since running and switching on of the plant’s gas-powered turbines was going on according to plan.

 

The turbines are expected to generate up to 150 megawatts as part of Tanesco’s strategy to reduce dependency on hydro power and use of expensive oils.

 

“According to our sources, Tanzania's Kinyerezi 1 power plant built by Norway's Jacobsen Elektro and inaugurated in October is running far under capacity,” Africa Intelligence reported last week.

 

Denying the allegation, Tanesco’s Managing Director Felchesmi Mramba said that the plant was currently generating 72 MW with the capacity set to increase this week after switching on another turbine.

 

According GE Power & Water's Distributed Power business, which supplied the gas turbines for the project, the plant will increase Tanzania’s installed power capacity by 20 per cent.

 

Under the terms of the contract, GE supplied four LM6000-PF dual-fuel aeroderivative gas turbines, which will provide about 44.5 MW of power each at about 40 per cent efficiency, the American company said.

 

The project is a US$183 million investment running on gas from Mtwara supplied through the Mtwara-Dar es Salaam pipeline. Its financing was provided by the government through Tanesco, which is also undertaking three other power projects in the area.

 

“The project is going on well and we now produce 72 MW, and next (this) week we will switch on another turbine to increase the efficiency,” Mramba told The Gu

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN