Kevin Nyango
The gradual increase in population has led to an increase in demand for power supply globally. The power supplied by most of the African countries from sources of water is not enough to sustain the population hence calling for the need for an alternative power supply. The most readily way to increase the supply of power is by tapping the solar.
Tanzania has been identified as the solar hub. The startup groups like Solar Media and the publisher of PV Tech have located fifty different possible places to locate the mini-grid projects. The idea is up for discussion at the coming Solar and Off-Grid Renewables Summit to be held in Dar Es Salaam on 5th to 6th December 2017. Tanzania has proven to be on the frontline to the pursuit of the alternative source of power with strong companies like Engie and E.On already active within PwerConer, Engie’s Katumbeine project and Rafiki Power, a startup located in the E.On incubator panel.
The event which will include EWURU and TaTEDO that have been providing alternative power in Tanzania since 1990 will give their role in improving the market. Jo Wilkinson who is the event director said that the event provides an ideal ground for the industry to see where Tanzania has reached and developers will have a chance to meet their financers. Those with equipment will meet with the buyers, and the entire industry will look for the way forward on how to get clean energy. Already fifty households at Mpale Village were connected with clean energy in September by Ensol Tanzania Ltd, and they are planning to increase the number to two fifty households by June 2018.
Tanzania has over 109 working mini-grids, with a capacity of 157.7MW installed most of which are not yet operational. 40% of it is operating on fossil fuels, 33% percent is operating on biomass, 21% is hydro, 1% is solar, and 1% is hybrid. The market is expected to increase in 2018 and beyond given the government policies aimed at encouraging small power producers to do business in the country.
The only stumbling block will be financed however the funds are available to encourage market growth and the main groups to spearhead the project have confirmed that they will attend the summit come December.
