A UNIQUE partnership is being forged between the government and development agencies in the United States and India in a triangular energy infrastructure development partnership.

Alex Klaits, the acting mission director US Agency for International Development (USAID) said in a statement yesterday that the partnership is intended to strengthen energy infrastructure and promote renewable energy development in Tanzania.

“This unique clean energy alliance is the first of its kind on the African continent,’ he said, noting that the trilateral partnership is being implemented by the US-based non-profit organization, The Asia Foundation.

It will leverage each country’s relevant capacities, resulting in a stronger grid, improved regulatory and policy frameworks, reliable regional interconnections and the development of utility-scale solar projects in the country, he stated.

He explained US readiness to strongly partner with Tanzania to accelerate electrification, so that communities across the country can access clean and reliable energy, pointing at the Obama-era initiative in 2013.

At that time the USAID’s Power Africa programme was started, enabling Tanzania to make significant progress in the energy sector by increasing connections from just about 1.2m then to over 4.5m late last year, he asserted.

USAID is forging a partnership with the India Centers of Excellence, involving the Grid Controller of India Ltd and the NTPC School of Business, tied with the National Thermal Power Corporation as a major energy producer, to help uplift renewable energy locally.

Experts at the business school will engage local policymakers, regulators, utilities, academia and the private sector, to obtain their collaboration in efforts to expand the use of renewable energy and promote climate-smart energy investments, he stated.

“We are now embarking on an important new partnership, together with the government of India, which broadens energy collaboration with Tanzania.  This collaboration will strengthen local capacity and expand bilateral trade opportunities for American firms to conduct business in Tanzania,” he further stated.

He expressed satisfaction with the partnership with India to support the country’s “emergence as a net regional energy exporter in East Africa,” while Manoj Verma, the chargé d’affaires at the Indian High Commission applauded the partnership.

“It is a matter of pride that the first India-US triangular cooperation on the African continent is taking place in Tanzania,’ he said, asserting that this collaboration exemplifies the strong strategic partnership between Tanzania and India.

“Focusing on renewable energy development and grid management, this partnership will boost Tanzania's efforts as it nears the completion of flagship energy projects and connects its grid with countries in the region,” he said.

The triangular development partnership will play a pivotal role in leveraging India's extensive experience in the renewable energy area, sustainably improving the lives of Tanzanians, he further noted.

Dr James Mataragio, the Energy deputy permanent secretary noted that the ministry was ‘excited’ to be part of the collaboration, affirming that the country will greatly benefit from US and Indian experience and learning on developing its solar and wind energy capacities.

“Together we can accelerate the development of renewables and a stronger grid in Tanzania,” he added.