TANZANIA is set to increase its renewable energy generation capacity to 2,463 megawatts by 2030, as part of a comprehensive energy development plan, President Samia Suluhu Hassan has stated.

Speaking at the Mission 300 African Heads of State energy summit in Dar es Salaam yesterday, the president detailed the country’s strategy to accelerate electricity supply and address critical energy challenges, including the reliance on fossil fuels and limited energy access in rural areas.

“Our goal is to diversify energy sources to include solar, wind, geothermal and natural gas while ensuring sustainability and affordability for all consumers,” she said.

Currently Tanzania has capacity to generate 3,431 megawatts of electricity, with 58 percent from hydropower, 35 percent from natural gas and seven percent from other sources. As of November, 2024 the country was generating 1800MW from its various sources, she specified.

Current plans are focused on harnessing the country’s renewable energy potential to meet growing demand and support industrialisation efforts, she said, underlining that Tanzania also plans to leverage its strategic location to enhance regional power trade by expanding connections to neighbouring countries.

The national grid is already linked to Kenya, Burundi and Rwanda, while work is proceeding to connect with Zambia and Uganda, she said, affirming that Tanzania’s electricity production exceeds domestic demand, currently stranding at 1,888MW so the surplus provides an opportunity for export within the EAC and SADC zone.

Efforts to increase rural electrification have enabled all villages in Tanzania to be connected to electricity, with the focus now shifting to reaching over 30,000 underserved hamlets by 2030, she elaborated.

Firewood and charcoal still affects over 90 percent of households, thus the need for cleaner energy, where the national clean cooking energy strategy is meant to increase cleaner energy access from 10 percent at the start to 80 percent by 2034, thus reducing environmental degradation and health risks, she said.

She projected investments of up to $13bn, with $5bn expected from the private sector, she stated, hailing the African Development Bank, World Bank and other partners for their support, urging greater collaboration and innovation.

“This is not just about energy. It is about lifting millions out of poverty, creating jobs and providing hope for future generations,” she declared, stressing that unveiling the Dar es Salaam Energy Declaration during the summit solidifies commitment to sustainable energy development.