Tanzania launches new platform to improve energy sector development

Tanzanian authorities on Wednesday launched a new platform aimed at contributing to the development of renewable energy and gas sector through investment in quality research and well trained, competent and qualified professionals.

The new platform dubbed Tanzania Energy Platform (TEP) was launched in the east African nation's commercial capital Dar es Salaam by the Minister for Energy and Minerals, Sospeter Muhongo.

The platform was launched against the backdrop of discoveries of natural gas and other forms of energy in line with the country's industrial economy drive.

Currently, Tanzania has discovered about 57.2 trillion cubic meters of natural gas as statistics indicate that 49 per cent of rural dwellers and 97.3 of urban residents have access to electricity.

"The platform among others will eventually see all Tanzanians being connected to electricity by 2030,"said Muhongo.

The minister said the platform will involve short course trainings that will be provided by expert trainers from the Netherlands to enable the country to have more experts in the energy and gas sector.

TEP was one of the expected outputs of the Tanzania Dutch Energy Capacity Building Project implemented in the country by the University of Dar es Salaam, the Dar es Salaam Institute of Technology and the Karume Institute of Science and Technology in Zanzibar, he said.

"This Platform will make remarkable advancement in the sector as there will be skills exchange between the two countries as well as frequent short training courses in the name of skill sharpening," he said. Endit