All hydropower plants in Tanzania are being switched off because a lack of rain has meant, that hydro-electricity generation has fallen to 20 per cent of capacity, making it difficult for the dams to operate, reports BBC online Saturday
Badra Masoud, head of communication at the energy ministry, told the BBC, that more people farming upstream from the dams was not helping the situation, as this reduced the flow of water.
The country consumes 870 MW but it only currently generates 105 MW. Tanesco also imports power from Kenya, Uganda and Zambia.
In Dar es Salaam those who can afford it tend to invest in generators because of chronic shortages.
Last month, three new gas power plants in Dar es Salaam were turned on, using gas piped from the south of the country. But these plants are also now not working to full capacity because of technical glitches.
The country’s long rainy season is expected to start in December, BBC notes.
