Construction of Tanzania’s Julius Nyerere Hydroelectric Project moved up a notch on Thursday after President Samia Suluhu Hassan officiated at the opening of the diversion channel that will direct water to the dam for electricity generation.
The 2,115-megawatt project is being built at a cost of Tsh 6.55 trillion ($2.77 billion). The diversion is crucial because the volume of water diverted to the reservoir is crucial for the generation of electricity.
Speaking at the construction site, Energy Minister January Makamba said the dam is 78 percent complete.
Mr. Makamba added that the opening of the diversion channel is a significant step in filling the dam with water to start generating power in the largest hydroelectric project in the region.
“The dam that will be used to generate water in the project measures about 916km2 and it will be more of a lake than a dam given its large size,” he said.
According to him, the Tanzanian government has already paid 4.5 trillion Tshs ($1.92 billion) to Egyptian contractors Elsewedy Electric Ltd and Arab Contractors.
The opening of the diversion channel by President Samia marks a significant boost in the implementation of the project, the remaining part being the ignition of the turbines to start generating energy later.
In addition to generating electricity, the project will also help control frequent flooding along the Rufiji River and boost tourism, as it was built within the Julius Nyerere National Park, where the river flows through.
