The Malagarasi hydropower project in Uvinza District, Kigoma Region, has reached 31.7 per cent completion, with regional officials urging the contractor to accelerate work and keep the scheme on schedule despite challenging weather conditions. The 49.5-megawatt facility, valued at 430 billion Tanzanian shillings, is being developed to strengthen electricity supply and support economic development in Kigoma Region and across the country, according to a project update.
The scheme has already delivered tangible benefits to the local area, with 750 households in the project zone now connected to the national electricity grid, the Tanzania Electric Supply Company (TANESCO) project manager said during a recent site inspection. The project comprises three main components: construction of a 54-kilometre, 132-kilovolt transmission line connecting the Malagarasi power generation site to the Kidahwe substation; extension of the national grid from Kidahwe to seven villages affected by the project; and works at the hydropower generation site itself.
The Chinese contractor, Dongfang Electric International Corporation, has been cautioned to take precautions against heavy El Niño rains that could disrupt construction and delay delivery. Kigoma's Regional Administrative Secretary emphasised the project's importance to the region's development and called for close government monitoring to ensure the contractor meets its contractual obligations. Officials expressed satisfaction with progress to date, particularly given earlier delays, but urged intensified supervision from TANESCO project managers and consulting engineers to maintain the timeline and prevent further setbacks.
The project represents a significant investment in Kigoma Region's infrastructure and will increase available power capacity for both households and businesses dependent on reliable electricity supply in the region.