Tanzania shifts focus to solar energy

From the newsletter

The India-based International Solar Alliance (ISA) plans to enter the Tanzanian energy market. It has identified three utility-scale solar projects totalling 309 MW for preliminary feasibility studies. Tanzania currently relies mainly on natural gas for electricity generation but has recently been diversifying to solar and hydropower.

• The ISA operates in 122 countries across the world and collaborates with governments to implement solar energy projects. It plans to work with Tanzania to help the country achieve its goal of electrifying 8.3 million people by 2030.

• Central to this effort is the establishment of the Solar Technology Applications Resource Centre (STAR-C), a multifaceted initiative designed to address systemic gaps in Tanzania’s solar energy ecosystem.

More details

• Tanzania is currently edging closer to its 5,000 MW electricity generation target by the end of the year, with the national grid currently producing 3,797 MW.

• The International Solar Alliance’s (ISA) involvement in Tanzania’s renewable energy sector marks a pivotal step toward achieving scalable, sustainable solar infrastructure and making this ambitious goal a reality.

• Through STAR-C the country will be able to cultivate local expertise through specialised training programmes and cutting-edge research tailored to Tanzania’s environmental and socio-economic context. 

• Equally critical is its role in quality assurance. STAR-C will test solar equipment against international standards, safeguarding investments and boosting consumer confidence.

• This project is part of a wider agenda, the “Mission 300” agenda announced at the Africa Energy Summit recently held in Tanzania. It will bolster Tanzania’s electricity mix significantly, while also contributing to the expansion of the nation’s grid. Tanzanian Foreign Minister Mahmoud Thabit Kombo also recently urged Türkiye to support a project. 

• The country has been making efforts to electrify its urban areas (around 79% access) and rural areas (around 36% access), meaning a large portion of the population, particularly in rural regions, still lacks electricity access.

• Solar power projects have already begun in the country, including a 150 MW solar energy project in Kishapu District, Shinyanga, starting with a production of 50 MW. The remaining 100 MW will be developed upon completion of the first phase.

• To help Tanzania achieve its solar power targets, the ISA will invest in projects, collaborate with the government on policy, train locals in solar equipment production, and build capacity among engineers and policymakers.

• The ISA has established STAR-C centres in Uganda, Ethiopia, Somalia, Ivory Coast, and Ghana. Since their inception, these centres have trained thousands of professionals in the solar energy sector.

Our take

• We've seen a lot of talk about unlocking Africa's renewable potential, but this project has some encouraging signs. First, the scale is significant. Those aren't small pilot projects; we're talking about real capacity that can make a difference to the national grid.  That's crucial.  Africa needs large-scale solutions, not just token gestures.

• The STAR-C centre is a smart move. It's not just about installing panels; it's about developing the local skills and knowledge to maintain them, manage them, and build on them. That's how you create a sustainable energy sector. We've seen too many projects fail because of a lack of local expertise.

• If Tanzania can pull this off, it could be a game-changer. It could demonstrate a model for other African nations struggling with energy access and seeking sustainable solutions. It could show that international partnerships, combined with local ownership and expertise, can unlock Africa's vast renewable energy potential.