The Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project (JNHPP) has reached full operational capacity following the successful activation of all nine turbines, each generating 235 megawatts, as confirmed by Deputy Prime Minister Doto Biteko over the week-end.
The announcement was made during an inspection tour of the landmark project, marking a significant milestone in Tanzania’s energy sector. Biteko, who also serves as Minister for Energy, expressed his delight at the achievement, noting the collective capacity of 2,115 megawatts now being produced.
The project, which began construction in 2019, was developed by a consortium of Egyptian companies. The first turbine was switched on in February 2024, and since then, the subsequent turbines have gradually come online. With all turbines now operational, the project has realised its ambitious goal of harnessing electricity from a dam across the Rufiji River, a vital step towards improving Tanzania’s energy supply.
Biteko emphasised the importance of the JNHPP in fulfilling the country’s energy needs, stating, “The dream of harnessing electricity from the Rufiji River dam has come true, and power is now available.” The successful completion of this mega-project is expected to significantly boost Tanzania’s power generation capacity and provide a reliable source of energy for both domestic and industrial use.