RE: Closing the week.....20 Nov 2020 22:23
Tanzania has a high and mostly untapped potential for renewable energy sources. The only resource significantly in use is hydropower at a large scale. Additionally, small hydropower has good potential and is particularly feasible in rural areas. Biomass resources are mostly exploited in traditional, but unsustainable ways though there remains great potential due to large amounts of organic waste generated from the agricultural sector. Solar energy is abundant with initial efforts being undertaken to exploit this resource through both off-grid and grid-connected solutions. Wind resources have been assessed with results showing promise with plans for developments underway. The World Bank is mapping renewable energy resources within their ESMAP Programme.
Solar Potential
Tanzania has promising levels of solar energy, ranging between 2,800 and 3,500 hours of sunshine per year and a global horizontal radiation of 4β7 kWh per m2 per day. Solar radiation is particularly high in the central region of the country.
To date, about 6 MW of solar off-grid PV has been installed countrywide. PV installations are generally used at villages, schools, hospitals, health centers, police stations, small telecommunications enterprises and households, as well as for lighting, street lighting and basic electricity needs. The government, through the REA and various donors, has supported a number of solar PV expansion programs. One grid-connected PV plant has been commissioned to date. The 1 MW-plant produces about 1,800 MWh/year. The potential for grid-connected solar PV is estimated to amount to 800 MW.
In the short-term, the Power System Master Plan (PSPM) 2007-2031 envisages the construction of 120 MW of PV capacity by 2018. Several private companies have expressed interest in developing 50β100 MW solar plants.
Solar map DNI Tanzania
Source: SolarGIS
solar map Tanzania
Source: SolarGIS
Wind Potential
Initial assessments have shown Tanzania to have promising wind resources, with Kititimo (9.9 m/s average wind speed at 30m) and Makambako (8.9 m/s) having been identified as having adequate wind speeds for grid-scale electricity generation. The Ministry, in collaboration with TANESCO, is conducting wind resource assessments on eight further sites throughout the country. In addition REA supports wind measurements on Mafia Island. To date, four private companies have expressed interest in investing in wind energy, considering construction of farms in the 50β100 MW range.
ESMAP Wind speed map
Source: World Bank Group
Hydro Potential
Traditionally hydropower has been the main source for electricity in Tanzania, however intermittent river flows have decreased its reliability. Another key challenge facing hydropower is the regional mismatch between hydro sites and major demand centers with a strengthening transmission system a requirement for further development. Tanzania does intend to further develop its large-hydro capac