Energy in Tanzania

Most electricity in Tanzania is generated using gas; hydropower is also a significant source of power.[1] Tanzania has a capacity of 1,521 MW with only 60% of this power available, most of the time, as it highly depends on hydroelectric plants (38% of installed capacities). Only 24% of urban areas have access to electricity while 7% of rural areas have it. 65% of Tanzania’s population lives in these rural areas.[2] Though the country's supply of electricity nearly doubled between 2005 and 2011, only about 20% of Tanzanians are on the electrical grid.[1] The electrical supply varies, particularly when droughts disrupt hydropower electric generation; rolling blackouts are implemented as necessary.[1] Nearly a quarter of electricity generated is lost because of poor transmission infrastructure.[1] The unreliability of the electrical supply has hindered the development of Tanzanian industry.[1]

Dar Es Salaam is a key area in the supply chain of petroleum across Tanzania and as an emerging industrial zone, the port attracts major international companies.[3] A major supplier of petroleum in the region is Dalbit Petroleum who rely on the port as part of their operations and have developed a well-organized supply chain through the port since the company’s regional inception in 2007.[4]