DODOMA: DEPUTY Prime Minister and Minister for Energy, Dr Dotto Biteko, yesterday assured the public that the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project (JNHPP) was safe from the effects of the ongoing rains, as its construction followed all quality requirements and standards.
Dr Biteko stated that the dam continues to generate power from its ninth turbine, with two other turbines nearing completion.
One out of the nine turbines of the project began generating 235MW for the national grid in February of this year.
The Deputy Premier made these remarks during a Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation (TBC) programme on the ongoing 2024 energy exhibitions at Bunge grounds.
“JNHPP is safe and is continuing power generation through turbine number nine. Its construction followed all required standards, making it safe regardless of the ongoing rains and increasing water levels,” he noted.
He mentioned that the dam is designed to hold 183 cubic metres of water, with the current water level at 183.4 cubic meters.
Previously, water was flowing into the dam at a rate of 8400 cubic meters per second, but efforts have been made to control the flow according to dam capacity and standards.
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Dr Biteko explained that the dam has helped minimise the negative impacts of the rains in various areas by directing water to fill the dam for power generation.
He also mentioned that the Ministry had warned the public to take precautions since February of this year after noting an increase in water levels in the Rufiji River.
Regarding the implementation of the Clean Cooking Energy agenda in the country, Dr Biteko stated that many people still use charcoal and firewood, and the government is working to address this issue.
The government’s goal is to ensure that 80 per cent of Tanzanians use clean cooking energy within the next 10 years.
Dr Biteko added that the government has established a National Clean Cooking Energy Strategy as part of the agenda implementation.
In terms of power generation, Dr Biteko stated that efforts are being made to improve infrastructure to ensure proper connection and supply to various parts of the country.
Plans are also in place to build 83 electricity cooling stations to mitigate the effects of electric outages.
Earlier, the DirectorGeneral of the Tanzania Electric Supply Company Limited (TANESCO), Eng Gissima Nyamo Hanga, mentioned that the power production target is to reach 10,000MW for the national grid by the year 203
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