Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan over the weekend inaugurated a dam and hydropower plant named after her predecessor Julius Nyerere, with the power plant capable of generating 2,115 megawatts of electricity.
The $2.9 billion plant built by China’s Power Construction Corporation of China (PowerChina) over the past five years is designed to meet the country’s energy needs, regulate water flows and reduce flood risks.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, Hassan said the plant is expected to produce measurable gains in manufacturing, trade, mining, modern agriculture, public services, investment and employment.
The nine-unit facility now accounts for nearly half of electricity dispatched to Tanzania’s national grid, significantly improving reliability and security of supply, she said.
“This project has demonstrated Tanzania’s capabilities. We must now harness that capacity to advance other strategic projects and build a strong, self-reliant nation,” Hassan said.
Built with the participation of China’s Power Construction Corporation of China (PowerChina) and Dongfang Electric Corporation, the plant has a total installed capacity of 2,115 megawatts, Zhang Rui, the project manager with PowerChina, said.
PowerChina undertook the construction of the main works, including the main dam, the stilling basin, the water conveyance system, the diversion tunnels and the metal structures, as well as the overall engineering design and the supporting facilities, Zhang said.
Tan Jin, the project manager with Dongfang Electric, noted that they supplied all nine hydro-turbine generator units, main inlet valves and other complete sets of electromechanical equipment, and carried out their installation, commissioning and trial operation.
MG/as/APA