The European Union (EU) has launched a 4 MW Mwenga hydro project aimed at supplying households in 14 villages, as well as 15 schools, 9 clinics and dispensaries, village, ward offices and a range of enterprises with electricity.
Speaking at the launching ceremony at the Mwenga Hydro Power station in Mufindi District, Iringa Region over the weekend, EU Head of Delegation Ambassador Filiberto Sebregondi said that EU is committed to providing rural communities with access to modern energy service.
“I am proud that the European Union can lend its support to scaling up a joint experience that has already produced very positive results. This new extension project, building on an earlier success story and that we are celebrating today, has received grant funding from the EU-ACP Energy Facility totaling 4,3 million EURO - equivalent to more than 10 bn/-,” he said.
Sebregondi pointed out that power projects like Mwenga Hydro are made possible through their solid partnership, from people in local communities, public sector institutions, private sector and particularly the European Union themselves.
“I would like to congratulate the Government of Tanzania through the authorities and people of Mufindi, the Rural Energy Agency (REA), the implementing partner Mwenga Hydro, and all the other partners for getting involved in the work to promote sustainable access to hydro energy services in wards and district. This is a show case of what can be achieved,” he said.
The ambassador noted: “There is no need to emphasise the importance of energy supply and electrification for poverty reduction, for social development and economic growth. This is enshrined in Tanzanian national development strategies, sector policies and plans that EU cooperation is aligned on.”
He underscored that rural energy issues require an integrated approach, combining legislation and regulation, and close cooperation among key stakeholders. Sound management of soils, water sources and forests resources, as well as the integration of climate change issues need to be part of all response strategies.
“We need to think globally to tackle climate change and the sustainable development of our planet, but we have to act locally to make a visible difference in livelihoods,” he said.
He insists: “As we have heard, the new project we are celebrating today has set for itself the goal of connecting 18 new villages, and 3000 new rural connections. This will see approximately 40,000 people, schools and businesses benefit from the project with access to modern energy services.”
For his part, Rift Valley Energy’s Mwenga Hydro Ltd Managing Director Mike Gratwicke said that under the 4 MW Mwenga Hydro Project, their firm has so far constructed almost 100 km of 33 kV power lines, and installed 21 transformers that supply 14 villages.
“We have also constructed approximately 45 km of low voltage distribution network within those 14 villages, and currently have more than 1250 connected customers,” he said.
He added: “We continue to receive new connection applications on a daily basis, and believe that we will double the number of connections in the existing area served within the next 3 years.”
Gratwicke also said that they currently provide electricity services either directly or indirectly to approximately 24,000 people in the current project area.
“We have been very privileged to have been able to play a part in the development of the villages that we now supply. The immediate social benefits of affordable grid quality power are visible and appreciated by all,” he said.
“What deserves special mention is the fact that approximately 15 percent of the connections made are small businesses, many of which are now using 3 phase power for productive use. As a result, better quality and more affordable services are now available in the villages that we supply,” he observed.
He went on to say that education quality has improved in the villages that have currently connected to power and the younger people are no longer leaving in large numbers for a better life in the cities.
“We extend our sincerest gratitude to the EU for their support. We have now embarked on an ambitious new network extension project that will take power into the unsupplied rural areas that neighbour our current network. This ceremony here today marks the first result of this new project, as we will bring on the village of Mpanga into the Mwenga Hydro network,” he said.
The Mwenga Hydro boss said that over the course of the next 18 months, they expect to add a total of 18 new villages to the network, taking the number of villages that will be supplied to 32.
“We expect to install an additional 175 km of 33 kV power lines, an additional 21 transformers, and at least 45 km of additional low voltage distribution network. We also anticipate connecting an additional 3000 new connections over the next 3 years in this new area as a direct result of this extension work,” he said.
He said this would effectively bring electricity to the reach of the approximately 65,000 people who live in the rapidly developing area.
SOURCE: IPPMEDIA
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