Tanzania to expand renewable energy to boost power generation capacity

Tanzania plans to generate 1,892 megawatts (MW) of electricity from renewable energy sources by 2030 as part of efforts to boost the country's total power generation capacity to 8,000 MW, a senior government official said on Thursday.

James Mataragio, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Energy responsible for petroleum and gas, made the remarks at the opening of the 2026 Renewable Energy Week conference in Dar es Salaam.

Mataragio said renewable energy sources, including solar, wind and biomass, would play a significant role in achieving the national electricity generation target.

He noted that the country's Development Vision 2050 aims to increase electricity generation capacity to 70 gigawatts by 2050.

Achieving these ambitious targets would require substantial investment, innovative technologies and strategic partnerships among the government, the private sector and development partners, he added.

Tanzania currently has an installed electricity generation capacity of 4,667 MW from various sources, including hydropower, natural gas, biomass, solar, coal and wind, he said.

The government is also implementing its 2024–2034 National Clean Cooking Energy Strategy, which aims to ensure that 80% of Tanzanians have access to clean cooking energy by 2034, while the National Energy Compact targets 75% by 2030, he said.