On September 11, 2026, in Sazha Village, Songwe District, Tanzania, Tanesco, the Tanzanian power supply company, signed a project contract with Chinese contractor TBEA for a total amount of 198.67 billion shillings. Tanzania's Deputy Minister of Energy, Salome Makamba, attended the signing ceremony. The project will build a new 220 kV transmission line and supporting receiving substation, with a construction period of 18 months, to completely solve the long-term power shortage problem in the two mineral rich areas of Songwe and Mbeya. The power bottleneck of this gold mining belt is about to be broken from an old power line to a high-voltage power grid artery.

Rectify the power shortage in mining areas with 220 kV transmission lines

The project includes the construction of a high-voltage transmission line from Mbeya Igancho to Songui Saza, as well as the construction of a Saza receiving and cooling substation. At present, the Chunya and Songwe areas only rely on an old 33 kV line with a length of 116 kilometers for power supply. The line is long, the load is growing rapidly, and the problems of unstable voltage and insufficient power supply have repeatedly occurred. The construction of a new 220 kV transmission line will fundamentally improve the quality of power supply, significantly enhance the stability of the regional power grid, and directly activate gold mines and various mining production activities in places such as Chunya and Songwe. After the project is put into operation, it will drive industrial production, modern agriculture, and commercial development, accelerating regional socio-economic growth.

Cross border power grid docking regional power interconnection

The Iganjo to Saza transmission line is an important component of the Tanzania Zambia cross-border power transmission interconnection project, and is also one of the core projects for promoting cross-border power trade between East Africa and South Africa. Amos Joas, Deputy Managing Director of Tanesco, introduced the current situation of local power supply. Subira Megalu, Chairman of the Parliamentary Energy and Mineral Standing Committee, believes that upgrading the power grid can not only drive local employment but also release mining capacity. Tanesco's Vice Chairman of the Board, Zuhura Bondala, pointed out that the project is a strategic expansion project for Tanzania's power grid, and strict supervision will ensure the efficient implementation of the project and maximize the benefits of public funds. Keywords: Infrastructure News Network, Ultra High Voltage, Enterprise Going Global

Local talent cultivation and industrial driving

Makamba mentioned at the ceremony that President Samia proposed to cultivate local entrepreneurs, and this power infrastructure will become an important lever for nurturing local industrialists and creating social wealth. She explicitly requested the contractor to prioritize hiring local Tanzanian youth to participate in technical positions during the construction period, in order to promote the cultivation of local skilled talents. For Chinese enterprises, the project duration is 18 months, which can follow up on business opportunities such as civil engineering subcontracting, cable auxiliary materials, engineering machinery leasing, and camp supporting material supply. In terms of mining supporting facilities, after stable power supply is implemented, there will be an increase in mining expansion, beneficiation plants, and smelting supporting projects. The demand for mining equipment, generator sets, and electromechanical operation and maintenance is expected to rise, and Tanzania's mining belt is ushering in new development opportunities.Editor/Gao Xue