Image: Fahari Time
Preparations for the proposed 2,100MW Rufiji hydropower plant at Stiegler’s Gorge in Tanzania are underway, ahead of the commencement of construction works.
The $307 million hydropower project will have a gross output of 5,920GWh and is expected to double the country’s power generation capacity.
Located in the Selous Game Reserve – one of the largest conserved wildlife parks in Africa, the project received contestation from various conservationists when announced earlier this year, however, Energy Minister, Medard Kalemeni said: “Let me assure you that we are well-prepared for the task and nothing is going to hold us back from completing [the project] on time.”
In addition to the hydropower plant, Project Execution Committee Chairman, Juma Iddi noted: “Other preparatory works include setting up power cooling stations at Pangawe and Dakawa and supply water to the construction sites.”
According to a report by AllAfrica.com, the 134m dam will have a storage capacity of 34 million cubic meters of water. The mega project will consist of nine vertical Francis turbines with a capacity ranging from 200MW to 300MW each and power generation capacity of 1,200MW each.
Currently, Tanzania’s energy mix consists of hydropower, natural gas, liquid fuel and biomass. The country’s current installed capacity is 1.6GW which supplies power to just over 40 percent of the population.