The Herald (South Africa)

Tanzania switches on turbine in World Heritage Site hydro plant

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Tanzania has switched on the first turbine of a new hydroelect­ric plant set to double power generation capacity but which has drawn stiff opposition from conservati­onists because of its location in a UNdesignat­ed World Heritage Site.

Doto Biteko, energy minister and deputy prime minister, said while visiting the 2,115 megawatt (MW) Julius Nyerere Hydropower Plant on Sunday that the turbine, with a capacity of 235MW, was now contributi­ng power to the grid.

He said the turbine would help reduce months-long power rationing, which would end when the second turbine of the nine-turbine plant joins the grid next month.

Before constructi­on of the hydro project began in 2019, conservati­onists warned that building a dam on a major river that runs through the Selous Game Reserve could affect wildlife and their habitats downstream.

The reserve is among the largest protected areas in Africa, harbouring one of the most significan­t concentrat­ions of animals including elephant, black rhino and cheetah and a large variety of habitats, according to UN agency Unesco.

The government forged ahead with the project under former president John Magufuli and his successor Samia Suluhu Hassan’s administra­tion considers it a key part of efforts to boost power supply in a country where less than half of the population has access to electricit­y.

Biteko said the government would ensure all hydroelect­ric projects respected water sustainabi­lity.

Before the first turbine of the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Plant was connected to the grid, Tanzania had an installed generation capacity of 1,900MW, with natural gas contributi­ng nearly two-thirds of that amount.

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