Government Powers Up Kilwa Islands with Massive Solar Initiative Worth TSh 801.74 Million
The government has launched a transformative solar energy project worth TSh 801.74 million to supply electricity to all five islands in Kilwa District, Lindi Region, marking a significant milestone in the country’s rural electrification efforts.
The ambitious initiative, implemented under the Rural Energy Agency (REA), aims to expand reliable electricity access to off-grid communities while promoting clean technology through comprehensive solar energy systems.
Speaking during the handover of the project report, Lindi Regional Administrative Secretary Zuwena Jiri emphasized the substantial government subsidies available to residents, particularly those living on the islands.
“If someone were to install a solar system independently, the cost would be very high. However, the government is providing up to 75 percent subsidy,” Ms. Jiri explained. “Each household will have its own independent solar system. I encourage all citizens, particularly those on the islands, to take advantage of this opportunity.”
The project will benefit approximately 1,227 households across the five islands, with solar systems offered in three capacity categories: 50Wp systems (736 units), 80Wp systems (307 units), and 100Wp systems (184 units).
Subsidies vary by system capacity, with 75 percent subsidies for 50Wp systems, 65 percent for 80Wp systems, and 55 percent for 100Wp systems, making clean energy accessible to rural communities previously without reliable electricity access.
In addition to the solar program, Ms. Jiri encouraged Lindi residents to adopt efficient cookstoves, highlighting that the government has provided an 85 percent subsidy, reducing the price from TSh 60,000 to just TSh 9,000 per stove.
REA’s Renewable Energy Technologies Manager, Engineer Michael Kyessi, detailed that the cookstove project plans to distribute 5,576 stoves throughout Lindi Region, with each district receiving 1,115 stoves.
“The total cost of the cookstove project for Lindi Region is TSh 346.56 million, with the government contributing TSh 294.5 million in subsidies. The service provider, Tango Energy Ltd, will sell the stoves to the public at subsidized prices, each costing TSh 9,000 after a subsidy of TSh 51,000,” Engineer Kyessi explained.
Engineer Kyessi further explained that the solar project will be implemented over two years, with a single service provider responsible for supplying all 1,227 solar systems across the islands, ensuring consistent quality and maintenance support for the remote communities.
This initiative represents a major step forward in Tanzania’s commitment to sustainable energy access and rural development, bringing modern electricity solutions to some of the country’s most remote coastal communities.
Source: Daily News Tanzania (dailynews.co.tz)
