By CHRISTOPHER MAJALIWA, 18th January 2011 @ 22:00, Total Comments: 2, Hits: 4934
THE current power deficit in the national grid is expected to be reduced by 10 per cent by 2014, following Sino-Tan Renewable Energy Limited company’s move to harness alternative wind energy that will generate100 Megawatts.
Sino-Tan Renewable Energy Ltd is associated with MCC 20-Hainan International from China and Norks Vind Energi from Norway whereby 50 per cent of the investment is from Norway, 36 and 14 per cent from local and China, respectively.
Speaking at the project feasibility study report presentation in Dar es Salaam on Tuesday, the Acting Commissioner for Energy in the Ministry of Energy and Minerals, Mr Hosea Mbise, said that power produced in the country was insufficient and that by 2033 the country was expected to have more than 6000 Megawatts as they have started initiatives to get power from wind.
The chairman and the founder of Sino Tan Renewable Energy Ltd, Mr Alex Lema, said the investment cost of the project, according to the feasibility study, would stand at about 150 million US dollars.
Mr Lema said the wind power source was more consistent and less expensive compared to hydro sources. “During the dry season when production from hydro sources is at its lowest, production from wind is at its peak.
This is a natural phenomenon that should be exploited fully,” said Mr Lema. Mr Fokas Daniel from the Tanzania Electric Supply Company (TANESCO), objected to the price per unit suggested earlier by Mr Lema which was 7.8 cents per unit saying that the price was pegged higher.
But Mr Lema however said that the final price will be discussed and agreed upon by the firm, EWURA, TANESCO and the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA). Meanwhile, NORPLAN Energy Manager Jan-Olav Oederud said the project was meant to rescue Tanzania from persistent power shortage which the country has been enduring.
“If Tanzania government through the Ministry of Energy and Minerals works closely with this project, I believe it will be more beneficial and production of electricity will rise tremendously to thousands megawatts unlike now where we are talking on hundreds megawatts,” said Mr Jan-Olav.
The company was incorporated in Tanzania on May 14, 2005 and obtained a TIC certificate of incentive No. 120011 issued on April 30, 2007.
Search for wind data were carried out at Same District in Kilimanjaro region where an automatic weather station was erected in 2004. After 18 months the wind data obtained was not good enough to warrant the establishment of the project and they had to move to Makambako in Njombe District, Iringa region and put up a weather station.
The initial wind data obtained between 2006 and 2008 was excellent for the purpose, according to the presentation, and has been consistent to date.
According to the feasibility study conducted, the project was favourable as it will assist in saving costs in hydropower and importation of fuel to run diesel generators, citing IPTL which cost 500,000 litres per day.
The report adds that the project will keep the country free from environmental pollution and as a reward for not polluting the environment, the company earns 10 USD per ton.
Total Comments on the above stories (2)
Comment
Its long overdue. I think its a forward idea. There are many winds which could be tapped n produce enough energy for Tanzanians. It should has started as early as 70s. Keep it up!
Comment
I think it is a good project as far as Tanzanian's own 36% of Investment.Sometimes when I think about of the future of this country "sustainable energy for development " has been a question with no realistic answers.But I do appreciate good initiatives of Sino-Tan Renewable Energy Ltd.WARNING:This is our country...please if this company is for the development of energy sector ,so be it for more Tanzanians' to afford (Beyond 10% currently)....development to myriad of sectors is possible,otherwise....selfishness,corruption and exploitation of poor majority of Tanzanian's will continue to be the order of the day.Hence DEVELOPMENT will be our day dream.
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