Nairobi — Power blues have been a common feature in Tanzania's debt-ridden energy sector that is starved of critical investment to satisfy the fast growing consumer demand, while water shortages have been worsened by the current drought.

The Dar es Salaam Water and Sewerage Authority (Dawasa) is currently pumping below 50 per cent of its capacity as the water level in the two main water intake points along River Ruvu in Coast Region has dropped considerably.

The Director of Water Resources in the Ministry of Water, Meraji Msuya, says more than 5 million people in Dar es Salaam and outlying areas of Bagamoyo and Kibaha in the Coast Region may not get any water if the rains do not fall soon. With a demand of over 300,000 cubic meters of water per day, the residents are today receiving about 125,000 cubic meters. "Drought has seen supply drop by over 50 per cent at Upper and Lower Ruvu River intakes as well as Kizinga that are the only three sources of water in Dar es Salaam," Msuya said.

The Director of the Dar es Salaam Water Supply Company (Dawasco), Mr Alex Kaaya, said Dar es Salaam was particularly vulnerable because "it is perhaps the only capital city solely relying on a traditional water source that is prone to drought and flooding." He said the government was in the short term planning to build a reservoir up stream to store excess water for use in future emergencies.

Mr Msuya said plans were also underway to construct another intake along river Rufiji while enhancing ground water points within the city. Roof catchment has not been fully tapped either.

According to Water Minister Stephen Wasira, a feasibility study has started and is expected to present its findings and recommendations in time for the June budgeting so that funds for the reservoir can be allocated.

Tanzania's drought-ravaged rivers are the source of about 70 per cent of hydropower consumed in the country, with the rest being supplied from Jinja in Uganda, mainly for Bukoba town in Kagera region, and from Zambia, mainly supplying Rukwa and Sumbawanga areas. Diesel generators also yield part of the remaining 30 per cent.

The Tanzania Electricity Supply Company (Tanesco) guarantees only 347 megawatts of electricity generation against a country maximum demand of 550 MW. Tanesco's public relations manager Daniel Mshana says drought has affected all the company's six hydropower stations. The six stations, with a total output of 561 megawatts, now yield a paltry 50 megawatts, which has necessitated the day-long power shedding. The stations are Kidatu, Kihansi and Mtera (on Ruaha river), and Pangani falls Hale and Nyumba ya Mungu (on Pangani river).

Tanesco also runs grid connected diesel plants with a capacity of 54 MW but due to old age and lack of engine spare parts, they just yield 6.4 MW.

Mr Mshana said two independent thermal power producers, IPTL and SonGas, that are contracted to generate electricity operate at full capacity and sell 100 MW and 182 MW respectively to Tanesco.

Apart from drought, lowering of water in the reservoirs has been caused by increased water obstruction upstream, uncoordinated water utilisation along Ruaha, Rufiji and Pangani basins and reservoir management problems.

A rush for water and pasture for agricultural cultivation and livestock rearing are the root cause of the destruction.

The government has launched an inter-ministerial committee to involve communities living around water sources in the management of the resources to end conflicts arising from a rush for water, pasture and land for agriculture.

Heavy tree felling and destruction of water catchment areas is also to blame for the siltation and drying up of rivers upstream, some of which feed Lake Victoria. It is estimated that between 1990 and 2005, Tanzania lost 14.9 per cent of its forest cover, or around 6,184,000 hectares of its total 33.5 million hectares of forest cover. Government estimates quote a rate of deforestation of 300,000 to 400,000 ha.

Despite Tanesco's huge debts - standing at more than Tsh500 billion - the government plans to invest more in the sector through new facilities. Energy Minister Ibrahim Msabaha told Parliament last month that the government would install new infrastructure to meet demand in the next few months.

Already a new gas turbine has been planned for installation using SonGas infrastructure in Dar es Salaam to supply between 60 MW to 100 MW. In addition, one emergency diesel turbine is to be installed each in Arusha, Mwanza and Moshi towns to add another 40 MW.

Dr Msabaha said the long term plan is to use thermal, natural gas and coal in Kinyerezi, on the outskirts of Dar es Salaam, and Kiwira coal mines to generate 500 MW that would completely end power outages.

However, past attempts at large scale mining of coal have been hampered by lack of investment and appropriate infrastructure.

The irony of the electricity shortage in Tanzania lies in the fact that only 10 per cent of the population of nearly 35 million people, mainly in urban centres, has access to electric power. The development of alternative sources of power has therefore become crucial.

The Tanzania Traditional Energy Development and Environment Organisation (Tatedo) in conjuction with UNIDO has set up small hydro power plants that are environment friendly, like the Kinko one in Lushoto area, producing 27 kw. The plants are modeled on a Chinese rice scheme that has succeeded in using the irrigation water to supply Mbarali township with electricity.

"We are also popularising adoption of solar panels for the rural majority left out of the national power grid," Tatedo's Co-ordinator Jensen Shuma said. For example, memebers of one youth group, Umoja wa Vijana wa Kikristo, in Mbagala area of Dar es Salaam are running their livestock rearing project, computer library and workshop entirely on solar power.

Biogas from animal waste is already being successfully used in Arusha area and a wind-generated electric plant being tested at Goba in the city currently yields 600kw. "Tatedo, the government and Friedrich Ebert Foundation are exploring the full potential of wind energy in Ranga and Karatu areas. The goal is to have a big wind farm to connect into the national grid," Shuma said.

Tanzania has been a member of the Southern Africa Power Pool (SAPP) since 1995 when it signed up, meaning that it is allowed to tap up to 120MW. But it cannot do so because it is a non-operating member, meaning it cannot use the facility, even when it would have eased the current power crisis. The Ministry of Energy says Tanzania cannot benefit because it lacks connectivity funds, among other reasons.

Dr Msabaha, the Energy Minister, said Tanzania is also involved in the Zambia-Tanzania-Kenya Interconnector Power project, which would be another source of electricity for Tanzania. An environmental impact assessment for the Mbeya- Singida line along the power route is going on.

While Tanzania seeks solutions to its water and power crisis, the cost to industry and individual consumers continues to rise. Mr Hussein Kamote of the Confederation of Tanzania Industries says power rationing would raise the operation cost for those using generators by 20 to 30 per cent.

The confederation has called on the government to suspend tax on imported generators and related equipment until the situation improved.

Tom Mosoba is a writer for The Citizen in Dar-es-Salaam

Africa Insight is an initiative of the Nation Media Group's Africa Media Network