All nine turbines at the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project (JNHPP) in Tanzania, a collectively installed capacity of 2 115 megawatts, are now fully operational, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy, Dr Doto Biteko has announced.
Dr Biteko revealed that the achievement that opens the door for further government investment in electricity transmission and distribution infrastructure, ensuring reliable power delivery to the economy.
The milestone follows the successful completion and activation of the turbines, marking a significant leap in the nation’s power generation capacity. The project, with a cost of Sh6.5 trillion, has had 99.5 percent of its total funding already paid by the government. Dr Biteko provided these updates during an inspection on Saturday, April 5, 2025, accompanied by other ministers. He noted that the first turbine was turned on in February 2024, and all turbines, each producing 235 megawatts, are now fully operational.
The JNHPP, constructed on the Rufiji River in the Coast Region, is now one of the largest hydropower plants in East Africa. With its full generation capacity of 2,115MW, the dam is expected to improve electricity access, support industrial growth, and reduce the country’s reliance on fossil fuels.
Construction of the mega project began in 2019 and was carried out by a consortium of Egyptian firms, led by the Arab Contractors and El Sewedy Electric. The venture is widely seen as a flagship project for both Tanzania’s energy sector and regional cooperation with Egypt.