Dodoma: The Tanzania Electric Supply Company (TANESCO) has reached a significant milestone in the implementation of the Tanzania-Zambia (TAZA) Power Transmission Project. The project is now 95% complete and is expected to enable the connection of the Rukwa Region to the National Grid by December 5, 2026—a development that will improve both the availability and reliability of electricity services in the region.
This project will allow Rukwa to move away from its reliance on electricity from Zambia, shifting instead to power supplied via Tanzania’s National Grid. This transition is crucial for strengthening energy security, supporting the growth of socio-economic activities, and unlocking further development opportunities for both citizens and investors.
To facilitate the final stages of the project, TANESCO has announced temporary power interruptions on November 14 and 15, 2026. These outages will affect certain areas within the Northern, Western, and Lake Zones, occurring daily between 6:30 AM and 5:30 PM. Speaking to journalists in Dodoma on November 12, 2026, the Deputy Managing Director for Electricity Distribution, Engineer Timothy Mgaya, stated that the power outage is part of the necessary technical preparations to enable the contractor to complete the remaining work and ensure the infrastructure is ready for operation.
“At this stage of the project, we are required to shut off power on Saturday and Sunday across regions in the Northern, Western, and Lake Zones to allow the contractor to finalize the work,” said Engineer Mgaya.
The regions that will be affected by this outage include Singida, Manyara, Arusha, Kigoma, Kagera, Tabora, Shinyanga, Simiyu, Geita, Mwanza, and Mara.
He added that TANESCO has made arrangements to ensure that customers are duly informed and that the work is completed within the scheduled timeframe, aiming to minimize inconvenience to the public and restore services promptly.
Explaining the benefits of the project, the TAZA Project Manager, Engineer Deogratius Nyamtumbaga, stated that the completion of the project will enable the Rukwa Region to receive electricity from Tanzania’s National Grid, rather than relying on power imported from Zambia, as is currently the case.
“By December 5, 2026, the Rukwa Region will be connected to the National Grid,” said Engineer Nyamtumbaga. The TAZA project involves the construction of a 400-kilovolt (kV) power transmission line from Iringa to Sumbawanga in the Rukwa Region. This infrastructure will increase electricity transmission capacity and strengthen the national energy supply system.
The completion of this project represents a significant milestone in enhancing the country’s energy infrastructure, improving the reliability of electricity supply, and fostering a favorable environment for investment, production, and economic growth.
