THE government will in the next two years formulate regulations for energy efficiency auditing for large electricity consumers.

Styden Rwebangila, the Energy ministry assistant commissioner for electricity development, made this affirmation in Dar es Salaam yesterday at the start of training for 132 certified energy managers from various regions.

Currently, the government is collaborating with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on the country’s first energy efficiency action plan, with financial support from the European Union (EU), he said, underlining that the overall objective is to enhance access to affordable, reliable and sustainable power flow to most consumers.

The government seeks to make it mandatory for each factory or industry to hire a certified energy efficiency manager in line with the scheduled regulations.

Training certified energy managers are to bring up a cadre competent in that field, insisting that certified energy efficiency managers are vital for pushing supervision in energy management and auditing, he said.

A key component of the action plan is to ensure that the relevant energy management and audit practices are properly implemented, with significant benefits in energy savings and greenhouse gas emission reductions realized, he stated.

The energy sector is currently undergoing significant reforms to address the growing energy demand, impacts of climate change, regional integration, global dynamics, emerging diverse technologies and socioeconomic development needs as a whole, he said.

Prof Ezekiel Masige, the Dar es Salaam Institute of Technology (DIT) deputy rector for academics, research and consultancy, said that the college has benefitted from the programme, having improved professional training capabilities.

Shelida Magomba, a certified energy manager, said that training has built the country’s workforce capacities in energy management and auditing.

Last October, the government, the UNDP and the EU inaugurated an energy efficiency laboratory costing $0.4m at the Tanzania Industrial Research and Development Organization (TIRDO)

Bahati Mtono, the ministry’s director for human resources, administration and management said that the laboratory would be used for practical training while providing energy auditing services in industries, commercial buildings and households.

The project seeks to strengthen legal, regulatory, institutional and administrative structures, providing assistance to large energy consumers and general users, while focusing on skills development, particularly for women and youth, she added.