Tanzania facing power crisis

Economists have warned that Tanzania will face a crisis regarding power supply for industrial and domestic consumption if the Tanzania Electricity Supply Company (Tanesco) proceeds with its proposal to close down its hydroelectric power plants by November.
The company announced recently that if the rains expected this month are not forthcoming, it might be forced to close down the plants.
The Company's Managing Director, Buruany Luhanga, said recently that the decision was made based on the alarmingly low water level at Mtera Dam, one of the plants power generating dams in the south-west of the country.
He said that the water level at the dam is 691 meters, one meter above the minimum level required to run the turbines, and that once that level is reached the engines will have to be stopped. Tanesco, a government-owned utility, is the sole generator and supplier of power in the country.
Tanesco has already cut its supplies by 50 % in its bid to control what is being harnessed andhas introduced rationing, whereby power is supplied for industrial and domestic purposes only twice a week.
However, Tanesco is blaming the government for the situation. It says the government and its institutions owe the company 34 billion Tanzanian shillings ($ 56.6 million) in lieu of services rendered. The amount, if paid, would have been used to buy diesel for engine generators to supplement what is being generated, Tanesco said.