TANESCO turns to hydropower

DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania, Dec. 29 (UPI) -- The Tanzania Electric Supply Co. announced Thursday that hydropower would be the main source of electricity and rations would be lifted in the new year.

"I assure you that we are not going to face such power blues next year," said Stephen Madaba, the acting chief executive officer of TANESCO.

Spokesmen said they have gained confidence since all six hydroplants in the country are generating 464 megawatts, more than the 450 megawatt demand, reported the Tanzania Standard News. Two plants, the Mtera and Nyumba ya Mungu, still have to begin generating again and will produce additional energy.

"We are now planning to discharge water from Kidatu to avoid damaging the dam," Madaba said. "We have actually cautioned people living in the Kidatu Valley of possible floods. Even if rains stopped to day, we need about only 100 megawatts from hydrology to supplement the 340 megawatts generated by thermal means to offset load-shedding."

TANESCO had been buying expensive power from four private gas and diesel thermal sources but now with the hydroplants back online they won't have to. However, two of the thermal machines are on two-year leases that have not expired yet but at least one of the contracts with the other sources has already been sold.