Sunday, May 19, 2024

TPDC, Rosetta Energy Solutions inks agreement to expand gas distribution

Egyptian Company Rosetta managing director Karim Shaaban (R) signs an agreement on the Mini LNG project with the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDF). Left (signing) is the TPDC director general, Mussa Makame.

Photo: Courtesy of TPDC
Egyptian Company Rosetta managing director Karim Shaaban (R) signs an agreement on the Mini LNG project with the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDF). Left (signing) is the TPDC director general, Mussa Makame.

By Guardian Reporter , The Guardian

THE government has signed the Head of Terms (HoT) of a Joint Venture Agreement with the Egyptian company, Rosetta Energy Solutions and Africa 50 to execute the Mini Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)project.

The project represents the culmination of the efforts in promoting natural gas distribution across the country.

Gracing the event recently in Dar es Salaam on behalf of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Energy, the Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (Ewura) director general, Dr James Mataragio said the project is going to expand the scope of gas distribution in the country.

“The Mini LNG project is not just a project, it's a revolution in natural gas access in Tanzania, set to change this landscape. It's a beacon of hope, reaching more areas than ever before,” he asserted.

In particular, he noted that the project significantly supplements the government's initiative toward providing clean cooking energy.

Coupled with that, he also directed TPDC to continue to explore the possibility of delivering natural gas to Zanzibar.

In related development he said the presence of the project is a testament to the power of collaboration between the private sector and public institutions.

 Adding: “It also underscores the government's credibility and trust in attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).

 Dr Mataragio, added that the investment demonstrates how the government continues to leverage various mechanisms in the international financing system to catalyse investments in the country.

“We invite other state-owned enterprises (SOEs)within our Ministry to join us in accelerating project implementation through private-sector collaboration, ensuring a win-win situation that protects the national interest,” he underscored.

Karim Shaaban, managing director for the Rosetta Energy Solutions, said the project plays a critical role in expanding Tanzania's gas pipeline network by enabling scalable demand through movable and modular LNG solutions.

“With a target investment portfolio of more than 100 million US dollar, we are strongly focused on transferring our knowledge and expertise to the Tanzanian market and create multiple jobs throughout the project value chain,” he said.

The agreement signed by TPDC and Rosetta Energy solutions on May 17, 2024 comes a few days after President Samia Suluhu Hassan launched a strategy seeking a smooth and accelerated transition to clean cooking energy.

TPDC director general, Mussa Makame, said that the Mini LNG project is cheaper and takes less time than a pipeline for a longer distance adding the project will significantly expedite the delivery of natural gas, ensuring early access for industries, households, and vehicles in these regions.

“The signing of the HoT will ignite, among other things, the undertaking of the preliminary activities for project implementation including project's feasibility study, site selection, and initial design planning,” he pointed out.

According to him, so far only four regions in small areas have access to the natural gas distribution network that is Mtwara, Lindi, Pwani, and Dares Salaam.

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