Relief as load-shedding eases

Dar es salaam residents have been enjoying better power supply for the past five days, thanks to improved generation at the Independent Power Tanzania Limited (IPTL) thermal plant at Tegeta. The plant has been running at full capacity of 100MW a day since Tuesday last week, according to IPTL Director, Mr Magesvaran Subramaniam. 

Mr Subramaniam told the 'Daily News' on Sunday that the improvement followed supply of adequate heavy fuel by the government.The IPTL plant has for several months been generating only 10MW for lack of fuel which the government was supposed to supply, hence exacerbating the prolonged power crisis.According to the Tanzania Electric Supply Company (TANESCO), the country has been facing a deficit of more than 200MW on the national grid which was to be reduced greatly when IPTL started production at full capacity. 

Mr Subramaniam said power generation at the plant has been increasing gradually depending on the availability of fuel. "We were producing 10MW, sometimes 20MW or 50MW depending on availability of fuel, but since Tuesday we have been at full capacity. We are optimistic that this generation will continue as promised by the government," he said. 

Some parts of the city have been getting uninterrupted power supply for the last four days, while the situation in other parts of the city is also said to experience relief.TANESCO officials on Sunday were not available for comment on the development.
Daily News