- Site Inspections at Tagamenda and Kisada: Reviews progress on transmission corridors and receiving stations
- Contractual Compliance Stressed: Calls for professional, high‑pace oversight to meet delivery deadlines
- Substation Expansion Underway: Cotex (Iringa) and Makambako (Njombe) substations largely complete and already energizing customers
- Project Milestones Achieved: Transmission lines 60 % complete; substation works at 31 %
- Regional Power Integration: TAZA to enable electricity trade between Tanzania and Zambia via the Southern Africa Power Pool
By Esther Mnyika
IRINGA, July 23, 2025 — Tanzania Electric Supply Company Limited (TANESCO) Managing Director Lazaro Twange today urged project managers to ensure the Tanzania–Zambia (TAZA) power interconnection is completed on schedule, emphasizing that professional oversight and adherence to contractual timelines are critical to delivering reliable electricity to communities.
During a two-day inspection tour of the TAZA project corridor in Iringa and Njombe regions, Mr. Twange reviewed progress on high-voltage transmission lines and associated cooling and receiving stations at Tagamenda and Kisada. “Supervise contractors rigorously, not through routine checks but with expertise and urgency, so that the benefits of this project are felt by citizens without delay,” he stated.
Mr. Twange congratulated site teams on overcoming early challenges and urged them to capitalize on the current dry season to accelerate work. He highlighted that firm, proactive management is essential for large-scale projects: “Take advantage of favorable weather to push forward. We must meet—and ideally exceed—the benchmarks set out in our agreements.”
The MD also visited the expanded substations at Cotex in Iringa and Makambako in Njombe, both of which are now substantially complete and already energizing local customers. He praised the improvements, noting that “the power infrastructure in these regions has been significantly upgraded, with capacity now sufficient to meet present and future demand.”
According to TANESCO’s latest progress report, over 60 percent of the transmission lines have been erected, while works on the receiving and cooling stations stand at 31 percent completion. Mr. Twange reaffirmed TANESCO’s commitment to efficient project delivery, stressing that timely execution will support Tanzania’s broader electrification goals.
The TAZA interconnector, a flagship initiative under the Southern Africa Power Pool, will link Tanzania’s grid with Zambia’s, facilitating regional electricity trade and enhancing energy security. Once operational, it is expected to lower costs, stabilize supply and foster economic growth across both countries.
Implications of the Tanzania–Zambia (TAZA) Power Interconnector
- Regional Integration & Power Trading
The TAZA link bridges the Eastern and Southern African Power Pools, creating a seamless corridor for cross‑border electricity exchange. This integration fosters a larger, more competitive regional energy market and paves the way for future pan‑African grid interconnections. - Enhanced Energy Security & Resilience
By diversifying supply sources, Zambia gains an alternative to its drought‑prone hydro generation, while Tanzania benefits from additional backup capacity—together reducing the risk of blackouts and load‑shedding across both systems. - Economic Growth & Investment Stimulation
Construction and operation of the interconnector generate hundreds of local jobs and attract investment in power‑intensive sectors such as mining, agriculture and manufacturing. Over time, competitive regional trading can help stabilize tariffs, lowering electricity costs for consumers and businesses. - Improved Infrastructure & Service Quality
Upgrading and expanding transmission lines replaces aging diesel‑fired mini‑grids, reduces technical losses, and significantly increases reliable supply in southwestern Tanzania. Communities and industries in Iringa, Mbeya and Sumbawanga will experience more consistent voltage and fewer outages. - Renewable Integration & Environmental Benefits
The interconnector enables large‑scale integration of renewable generation—hydro, solar and wind—across borders, cutting reliance on diesel generation and lowering greenhouse‑gas emissions. It also helps buffer systems against climate variability by sharing excess clean power during peak seasons. - Institutional Capacity Building
Beyond physical works, the project includes grants and training for TANESCO and ZESCO in grid operation, smart‑grid technologies, maintenance best practices and power‑trade governance—strengthening the utilities’ ability to manage cross‑border flows and integrate future expansions. - Strategic & Policy Alignment
TAZA directly supports both countries’ national development plans and the SADC Regional Energy Access Strategy by improving rural electrification, promoting regulatory harmonization, and reinforcing political cooperation—key steps toward long‑term regional energy security and economic integration.