Tanzania to Issue Construction Tenders for Two Hydroelectric Schemes
These two dams will double Tanzania’s hydroelectric output and increase its generating capacity by a third.
These hydroelectric schemes are part of the country’s goal of electrifying 75% of the country by the year 2035. The dams will be located on the Ruhudji and Rumakali rivers in the southern Njombe region.
The Ruhudji dam is set to generate 358MW, while the Rumakali dam will generate 222MW bringing the total to 580MW. This total is 36% of the country’s current 1.6GW as of 2020. Medard Kalemani, the Minister for Energy, stated that the construction tenders would be launched in March 2021.
In July 2020, the Tanzania Electric Supply Company awarded Norwegian Engineer Multiconsult the contracts to develop the dams and their associated transmission infrastructure. The company conducted feasibility studies, prepared conceptual designs and tender documents, and conducted an environmental and social impact assessment.
During a tour of the area, Kalemani stated, “The implementation of these projects started with the design of projects in December and is nearing completion.
“We are now looking forward to entering the second stage of announcing tenders to get contractors from March so that by July, the contractors will be available, and we will officially hand over the construction sites.”
