Tanzania eases power cuts after rains improve

Kikwete says the Zimbabwean situation is set for a breakthrough

Power cuts that crippled Tanzania's economy last year have eased after abundant rainfall filled its hydropower dams, the country's president said yesterday. A severe drought in late 2005 and early last year slashed water levels in the east African country's main power generating dams, cutting electricity production to a fraction of their 561 megawatt capacity.

This forced state-run utility Tanzania Electric Supply Company (TANESCO) to ration power supply, at one time for up to 12 hours a day, and forced industries and homes to resort to expensive generators.

The drought and power cuts led the government to revise its 2006 gross domestic product growth forecast to 5.9% from an earlier 7.3%. "The abundant rains have also eased the electricity crisis. The load shedding has ended to the relief of all of us," Jakaya Kikwete said in a speech to diplomats in Dar es Salaam.

"It is miraculous that it happened so soon." Kikwete added the country's main dam stood at close to 694m, five metres below its maximum operating level.

"We are not yet out of danger. Mtera is not full. The inflow is good and there is no discharge yet to allow the dam to continue to fill," Kikwete said. "In the meantime we will continue to use thermal generation ... to make up for the difference."

The country, with a population of 39 million, also produces 183 megawatts of electricity from natural gas. Its main economic activities are agriculture, tourism and mining. Kikwete said the country was working on generating more power from natural gas and coal. - Reuters