Tanzania’s Prime Minister, Kassim Majaliwa, has made an announcement regarding the closure of five hydroelectric facilities in the nation. This decision aims to address the issue of surplus electricity in the national grid, a move that has sparked surprise among Nigerians on social media.
Majaliwa explained that the primary facility, the Mwalimu Nyerere Hydroelectric Station, has already produced ample electricity to supply major cities, including Dar es Salaam, the country’s primary commercial center. According to a Tanesco official quoted by the BBC, “We have deactivated these stations due to low demand and excessive electricity production; currently, there’s no need for allocation.”
The Julius Nyerere hydropower dam, boasting a capacity of 2,115MW, has been filled with water due to heavy rains earlier in the year. This decision marks the first instance where Tanzania, a country plagued by chronic power shortages, has closed its hydroelectric plants due to overproduction.
This move follows the recent activation of the first turbine, capable of generating 235 MW, at a new hydroelectric plant aimed at bolstering power generation capacity and alleviating months of power rationing.