The Execution Of Malagarasi’s Hydropower Project At Its Final Steps

The African Development Bank is all set to aid US$ 120M for the execution of Malagarasi’s Hydropower project in the region of Tanzania. As per the statement of Adesina Akinwumi, who is the president of AfDB, The cooperation from their side indicates their true intention of supporting the East African country’s government to produce reliable and affordable electricity for the region.

The expected cost of the project will be worth US$144.14M; the sovereign window of AfDB will be funding the project, on the other hand, Africa Growing Together Fund will be aiding an additional amount of US$ 20 M., The Government of the region, will take care of remaining US$ 4.14M.

Components of the Malagarasi Hydropower project

The project is based on constructing a hydropower plant over the river and a 132kV transmission line of up to 54 kilometers long. The project will link to the national grid of Tanzania. It will expand the operational network, including the connections until the region’s last yard and rural areas’ electrification. 

The component of the project includes management and administrative support and relocation and settlement of the affected individuals.

The project will be efficient enough to reduce the region’s electricity cost from $0.33/kWh to $0.04/kWh; side by side, the project’s construction phase will provide jobs to around 700 individuals. Moreover, upon completion, the project will reduce the expenditure and dependence on fossil fuels. 

Contribution to Tanzania’s and the AfDB initiatives

The project of Malagarasi aligns very well with the National Development Vision 2025 of Tanzania and the development plant (2016/17-2020/21). Other regional initiatives, including 400 kV North West Grid of Nyakanazi Kigoma, are also complemented by the hydropower project of Malagarasi. AfDB is funding the transmission line project of Nyakanazi Kigoma with the cooperation fund of the economic development sector of South Korea, supervised by the Korean bank of Import-Export and the finance & strategy ministry.

Moreover, The Hydropower project of Malagarasi will be directly putting up with Light-up and Power Africa development programs executed by dealings with institutions regarding energy plans for Africa.