Tanzania Picks Sinohydro for its First On-Grid Solar Plant

Tanzania has awarded China s Sinohydro Corporation as the construction contracter for the country’s first-ever solar photovoltaic power station to feed into the national electricity grid.
The Tanzania Electricity Corporation (TANESCO), signed the contract for the plants first phase of 50 MW capacity, in the presence January Makamba, the country’s Minister of Energy.
The project is part of a larger initiative of installing 150 MW of solar energy in the Kishapu district of the Shinyanga région, alongside a new power station with a 33 kilovolts/220 voltage capacity.
The power station will connect to the national grid through a 220 kV transmission line from Singida to Shinyanga.
The second phase will consist of plants generating 100 MW, resulting in a total project cost of TZS 275 billion.
TANESCO picked JV Artelia from France and Energiovida from Tanzania as Consulting contractors. The estimated cost for the first phase is TZS 109 billion, the works are expected to start in June 2023 and be completed within 12 months.
Mr. Makamba acknowledged at the signing ceremony that this marks the first introduction of solar electricity into the national grid of Tanzania. He commended the French Development Agency (AFD), which has provided a loan for the project’s implémentation.
Tanzania is developing a new Renewable Energy Policy to further enhance investments in renewable energy, which will capitalize on the substantial financial resources, capital markets, and advancements in new technologies dedicated to renewable energy globally, Makamba said. He also announced ongoing efforts to identify areas with renewable energy resources and prioritize native investments in wind and solar projects. The Tanzanian govemment, Mr. Makamba said. will provide support in this regard and establish guidelines for project implémentation.