By: Reuters

Tanzania commissioned the 2,115-megawatt Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project (JNHPP) on Saturday (August 22), more than doubling the country's electricity generation capacity and creating a surplus that officials say could support power exports and industrial growth.

Built on the Rufiji River at a cost of about 7.45 trillion Tanzanian shillings ($2.84 billion), the country's largest power plant increases Tanzania's total installed generation capacity to 4,646 MW, well above peak domestic demand of 2,271 MW.

Officials said the resulting surplus of 2,375 MW could be exported to neighbouring countries, with discussions already underway with potential buyers including Kenya and Zambia.

Construction of the project began in 2019 but drew criticism from environmental groups, which warned that the dam could affect wildlife and ecosystems linked to the Selous Game Reserve, one of Africa's largest protected areas and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Tanzania's government defended the project as essential to the country's economic development and energy security. With the plant now fully operational, hydropower accounts for about 60% of Tanzania's electricity generation, with natural gas supplying much of the remainder.

(Editing and Production: Jefferson Kahinju)