RURAL Energy Agency (REA) has expressed its commitment to help people or private companies that intend to supply minigrid electricity that is not in the national grid.
Speaking at Terrat village in Simanjiro
District, Manyara region, the agency’s Project Identification and
Promotion Manager, Engineer Elineema Mkumbo said because energy was an
engine for development, REA had a legal mandate to provide fund for such
projects.
He was speaking just few minutes after
touring a Bio-fuel production and Bio-diesel refinery and purification
plant at the village. Accompanied by development partners from Sweden,
Germany and Norway, the REA manager said the energy body was fully
committed to ensuring that all villages were connected and that in areas
yet to have electricity private companies that supply the service would
be supported.
The Swedish embassy is also planning to
embark on the programme to support mini-grid electrification in rural
areas according to Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA)
Programme Officer (Energy Sector), Stephen Mwakifwamba.
“Because we understand that in some
areas the energy agency can not do grid extension, the embassy is ready
to support mini-grid programmes in collaboration with the Norwegian
embassy,” he said.
SIDA country representative, Ms Maria
Beclekom said the Swedish Embassy had already agreed with the government
of Tanzania through REA to work on the special project to help people
to access energy through mini-grid extension. Ms Beclekom spoke just
after touring the biogas plant in Terrat owned by Mr Martin Kariongi.
The bio-diesel power plant currently
supplying electricity to 234 households in the village. MR Kariongi who
is the Director of the institute for Orkonorei Pastoralist Advancement
told the ‘Daily News’ in an interview that the 300Kw bio-fuel power
plant has so far improved the living standards and style of the people
in the village. According to him, the power plant was launched in 2009
after investing Euro 800,000 in the project.
A carpenter in Terrat, Mr Pendael John
said since the bio-gas power plant was launched, he can earn an income
of 50,000/- each month.
“I have been in this village for the
past three years and the income I get out of my job, had enabled me to
establish another business of washing vehicles,” said Mr John who has
been a carpenter for 27 years
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