M a r k e t N e w s
50 MW Wind power project in Tanzania to cost more than US$ 132m
Posted on : Friday , 13th March 2015
Tanzania is at an advanced stage in plans for erecting a mega wind power project in Singida town by 2016. The construction is expected to cost more than US$132m for the first phase, and the wind farm will generate up to 50 MW of power to be channeled to the national grid.
National Development Corporation (NDC) Head of Energy and Infrastructure development, Mr. Pascal Malesa confirmed the news and said that they are already in the final implementing stages and that production of power will commence as from next year.
“It will be a relief to the government as it will not have to spend money to buy fuel for the turbines during power shortages,” Malesa added.
This initiative is also anticipated to generate at least US$ 23m annually for the country.
Exim Bank of China last year in September agreed to loan Tanzania government money for financing the massive development. DC, Tanesco and Power Pool East Africa Limited have partnered in the project, known as Geo Wind Power Tanzania Limited (Geo Wind) and owning 60 per cent, 20 per cent and 20 per cent respectively.
In the first phase, 50MW of power will be generated and after completion of the second phase, about 150MW of power would be expected to be produced.
Tanzania is experiencing growth of demand of power by 50 MW a year, partly attributed to expanding mining undertakings in the north and southern regions. The wind farm in Singida will see many industries provided with locally-generated electricity.
China’s Dalian International Group is the company that was selected to develop the wind power project. Tanzania announced last year that it would construct a 5000MW geothermal power plant at Lake Ngozi in Mbeya at the cost of US$300m and that the project would start off this year.
Source : construction review online
