Tanzania

Energy Strategies in Tanzania

Although potential for solar PV technology is large (main daily solar radiation = 4.6 kWh/m²) the potential has hardly been tapped.
Electrification rate is low:
· only 1 % of the rural population have access to electricity
· in the cities ± 10% of the population have access to electricity.
Chances of rural areas being connected in the near future is small, given the low rate of rural houses connected to the grid by the power utility and the problems related to rural electrification such as long low voltage lines and difficulty of collecting bills.

Solar PV in Tanzania has mainly been implemented by donor and NGO projects for dispensaries, hospitals, offices and in communication technology. Solar PV is used for lighting, radio, TV and in a few cases for water pumping.

A lot of solar equipment is imported from Kenya and South Africa.
Most solar PV development takes place in the regions Dar es Salaam, Mwanza and Arusha region and to some extent in the Kagera region. In other regions little developments have been reported, although there are indications that solar business is being undertaken in Mbeya.

One of the main obstacles in the development is the lack of information exchange between the stakeholders involved in solar energy.

Renewable Energy Policy in Tanzania

Renewable Energy Business in Tanzania: Source Guides

Alternative Energy for Tanzania: Alternative Energy Blog