Tanzania to Build Hydropower Plants and Transmission Lines

Engineering consultancy, Multiconsult, has been awarded consultancy contracts for the 222MW Rumakali and 358MW Ruhudji Hydropower and transmission lines projects in Tanzania by Tanzania Electric Supply Company Limited (TANESCO).

Feasibility studies, preparation of the tender documents and conceptual design, as well as the environmental and social impact assessment studies for the two proposed hydropower projects and corresponding transmission lines are to be undertaken by Multiconsult.

According to Hilde Gillebo, Executive Vice President Energy of Multiconsult, the company is proud to participate in the energy development in Tanzania by being awarded these large and important projects, which will be significant in meeting the country’s increasing electricity demand.

“Despite a huge hydropower and solar potential, only an estimated 36.6% of the population in Tanzania currently has access to electricity. The Tanzania government has set aggressive electrification targets, aiming to achieve 75% electrification by 2035,” says Gillebo.

Multidisciplinary consultancy firm, Norplan Tanzania, and Tanzania Photomap are to act as subcontractors to Multiconsult for the projects which will begin immediately and are expected to be completed by the third quarter of 2021.

With a shared location in the Njombe region, the Rumakali and Rhuhudji projects have the potential to double the total installed hydropower capacity in Tanzania, from 562 MW to 1.142 MW.