Electricity generation in Tanzania drops by 345MW

DAR ES SALAAM, Nov. 18 (Xinhua) — State-run Tanzania Electric Supply Company Limited (TANESCO) announced on Thursday a drop in power generation caused by declining water levels in hydropower rivers and dams.

TANESCO said in a statement that daily power generation has dropped by 345 megawatts (MW), which is equivalent to a 21 percent drop in daily power production.

The statement did not mention the power utility’s daily production of electricity but attributed the decline in power generation to a drop in water levels in rivers and dams caused by climate change.

According to the statement, electricity generation has been adversely affected at TANESCO’s power plants at Kihansi, Pangani and Kidatu.

However, the statement said TANESCO has taken urgent measures to generate electricity through its plants using natural gas. “This arrangement was expected to generate a total of 358MW,” said the statement, adding that some regions will be experiencing power outages for specified periods