Diplomatist Special Report - Tanzania Tanzania 2018 | Page 42

Unlocking Tanzania’s
renewable energy potential
By KANCHI BATRA*
O
n 15 November 2016, Tanzania joined the International
Solar Alliance by signing the Framework Agreement
for the establishment of the Alliance at the signing
ceremony in Marrakesh alongside the Conference of Parties-22
of the UN Climate Change Convention. Mr. Mbarak Abdul
Wakil, Permanent Secretary in the Vice President’s Offi ce,
signed the Framework Agreement on behalf of Tanzania.
The International Solar Alliance is a league of solar
resource-rich countries to address their energy needs by
working towards mobilising investments and reducing the
costs of fi nance and technology for large-scale deployment of
solar energy. This alliance is an initiative of the Prime Minister
of India and the President of France that was launched on 30
November 2015 in Paris. ISA is a multi-country partnership
organisation with 121 prospective member states, which is
based in India.
Energy is one of the vital inputs in all aspects of
development as it sustains population growth, industrialisation,
and urbanisation. In developing countries like Tanzania,
electricity supply is generally low compared to its demand;
the nation continues to expand its power generation ability to
meet the growing demand, in a diversifi ed and sustainable way.
Tanzania has untapped potential for renewable energy
sources. The country is gifted with diverse renewable
energy resources, ranging from biomass and hydropower to
geothermal, solar and wind. Such renewable resources would
contribute extensively to Tanzania’s energy supply if properly
utilised, moving the country closer to reaching middle-income
status, as projected in the Tanzania National Development
Vision 2025.
Hydropower is the only resource considerably in use
at a large scale. Moreover, small hydropower has good
potential and is predominantly practicable in rural areas.
Biomass resources are generally exploited in traditional but
unsustainable ways, though there remains great potential
due to large amounts of organic waste generated from the
agriculture sector. Solar energy is copious with initial efforts
being taken to exploit this resource through both off-grid and
42 •TANZANIA
grid-connected solutions. Wind resources have been assessed
with results showing promise with plans for development in
progress.
The government of Tanzania recognises the potential
contribution of renewable energy to the country’s future
energy mix and is steadfast to promote the development of
low-carbon energy initiatives by harnessing the country’s
renewable-energy resource base.
Solar Energy
Ranging between 2,800 and 3,500 hours of sunshine
per year and a global horizontal radiation of 4–7 kWh per
m2 per day, Tanzania has promising levels of solar energy.
Solar radiation is particularly high in the central region of
the country.
To date, about 6 MW of solar off-grid PV has been
installed countrywide which are generally used at health
centers, schools, villages, hospitals, police stations, and
households. They are also used for street lighting and basic
electricity needs. The government, through the REA and
various donors, has supported a number of solar PV expansion
programs. The 1 MW-plant produces about 1,800 MWh/
year. The potential for grid-connected solar PV is estimated
to amount to 800 MW.
In the short-term, the Power System Master Plan (PSPM)
2007-2031 envisages the construction of 120 MW of PV
capacity by 2018. Quite a few private companies have
expressed interest in developing 50–100 MW solar plants.
Tanzania is positioned in the solar belt world region, with
high levels of solar energy resource ranging between 2,800
to 3,500 hours of sunshine per year (i.e. average of 7.5–9.7
hrs/day) and a global radiation of between 4 to 7 kWh/m2 /
day (Johanne, 2011; MEM, 2013; Energio-Verda, 2014). In
addition, the potential of solar energy in the country is estimated
to be 187 Wm-2, with a lower degree of exploitation both for
solar PV and solar thermal applications (Mwihava, 2010).
* The author is the Business Editor at Diplomatist Magazine