By Business Insider Reporter and Agencies
Tanzania has connected a 50-megawatt (MW) solar plant in Kishapu to the national grid, marking the country’s first utility-scale solar project.
This strategic development represents the first phase of a planned 150-MW solar complex and underscores the nation’s broader goal to diversify its energy mix while preparing for future growth.
The Kishapu photovoltaic plant, located in the Shinyanga Region, entered service in 2024, financed with TSh118.6 billion (approximately US$46 million) through a sovereign loan from the French Development Agency (AFD).
The second phase, expected to add 100 MW, is underway with an estimated cost of TSH 200.4 billion (US$77 million), according to Renewables Now.
Current power mix and capacity
In 2024, Tanzania’s total installed power capacity was approximately 3,092 MW. Hydropower accounted for around 1,572 MW, or 51 percent of this total, mainly sourced from the major dams at Kidatu, Kihansi, Mtera, and the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project (JNHPP), and continues to serve as the backbone of the country’s electricity supply, though it remains vulnerable to climate variability.
Natural gas contributed about 1,056 MW, representing 34 percent of the capacity, primarily from the Songas and Kinyerezi plants, providing flexible and reliable thermal generation. Coal-based generation added roughly 258 MW, or eight percent, from facilities such as Kiwira, supporting baseload stability.
Renewable sources, including solar and biomass, accounted for 206 MW, approximately seven percent, from small solar farms and biomass projects. The recent Kishapu solar project substantially boosts Tanzania’s utility-scale solar capacity, highlighting a strategic shift toward cleaner energy sources.
Dira 2050 alignment
Tanzania’s Dira 2050 vision emphasizes sustainable industrialisation and economic transformation powered by affordable and reliable energy.
Expanding the solar sector aligns with this blueprint by:
Reducing dependence on fossil fuels and hydropower, which face environmental and climate risks.
Supporting energy access and electrification, particularly in regions like Shinyanga, to drive industrial and economic development.
Laying the foundation for a low-carbon, resilient energy sector capable of supporting the country’s long-term industrialization goals.
Alternative and clean energy potential
Beyond solar, Tanzania has vast untapped renewable energy resources:
Solar:
Average irradiation of 4–6 kWh/m²/day makes Tanzania highly suitable for large-scale solar deployment, with potential exceeding 10,000 MW.
Wind:
Sites such as Songwe, Makambako, and Mtwara could collectively contribute over 1,500 MW.
Geothermal:
Located primarily along the East African Rift, with estimated potential of 650 MW.
Biomass & Mini-Hydro:
Many rural regions can adopt decentralized generation solutions, providing reliable off-grid electricity while supporting local economies.
By connecting Kishapu to the grid, Tanzania demonstrates its commitment to expanding generation capacity while embracing renewable energy solutions. This milestone represents a tangible step toward meeting the country’s Power System Master Plan target of over 10,000 MW by 2044 – more than triple the 2024 capacity – and achieving the clean energy ambitions of Dira 2050.
Key Highlights:Power Expansion Gets Real
50 MW
- Tanzania’s first large-scale solar plant goes live in Kishapu, Shinyanga.
150 MW
- Planned capacity of the Kishapu solar complex (Phase 1: 50 MW, Phase 2: 100 MW).
3,092 MW → 10,000+ MW
- Tanzania’s total installed capacity in 2024 vs target by 2044.
Dira 2050 Alignment
- Clean, reliable, and affordable power to drive industrialization.
Kishapo Solar Power Project snapshot
| Feature | Details |
| Location | Kishapu, Shinyanga Region |
| Phase 1 Capacity | 50 MW (live) |
| Phase 2 Capacity | 100 MW (planned) |
| Investment | TSh 118.6B (US$46M) Phase 1; TSh 200.4 billion (~$77M) Phase 2 |
| Significance | First utility-scale solar plant on Tanzania’s grid; diversifies energy mix |
