Continued drought means power rationing, says Kikwete

Power rationing is now inevitable in Tanzania following a prolonged dry spell that has led to a severe drop in water levels at dams that feed the country's hydroelectric power plants, President Jakaya Kikwete has said. "We are now approaching a point where we must shut down the hydropower generation plants," Kikwete said on Tuesday during a meeting with elders in the commercial capital, Dar es Salaam. He said the government had been struggling to improve the power supply in the wake of the drought and the increased demand for electricity brought about by Tanzania's economic growth. Kikwete said the water level at Mtera Dam, which feeds the major hydroelectric power plants in central Tanzania, was below the permitted power-generation level of 690 metres. "The government in January permitted TANESCO [Tanzania Electric Supply Company] to continue with production until the level reached 687 metres," he said. "The level has since dropped to 687.59 metres, meaning we have only 59 centimetres remaining, beyond which power production will have to stop. Under such circumstances, power rationing is now inevitable," he warned. He said the 447 megawatts currently produced by TANESCO's hydro and thermal stations and firms contracted by the state fell short of national demand, which is said to be double the amount being generated. Industrialists have already expressed concern over the rationing, saying it will adversely affect their operations. "In order to keep our machines running, we will be forced to use generators, which means additional production costs," said Clifford Antao, an engineer in Dar es Salaam. "Alternatively, we will have to close the factories and wait for the rains in March."