Milestone as JNHPP mega project set for official launch on August 22

DAR ES SALAAM: THE Minister for Energy Deogratius Ndejembi has said the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan, is expected to officially launch the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project (JNHPP), with a generation capacity of 2,115 megawatts, on August 22, at the project site in Rufiji, Coast Region.

He made the remarks today, August 15, in Dar es Salaam at the Ministry of Energy’s offices while briefing journalists on the launch, which will be attended by various government leaders, guests from within and outside the country, members of the public and development partners.

“The launch of the Julius Nyerere hydropower project is a historic event and an important milestone in Tanzania’s journey towards building a reliable energy system, while stimulating production, investment and economic growth. This is the largest power generation project ever implemented in the country using domestic government funds, with an investment of approximately 7.452 tri/-, ” Ndejembi said.

Elaborating on the project, he said JNHPP has continued to increase the amount of electricity supplied to the national grid, helping to reduce generation shortfalls that previously contributed to power rationing in the country.

As of May 31, 2026, the power station had generated approximately 44.9 per cent of all electricity produced and fed into the national grid over the preceding one-year period. The station has therefore been contributing nearly half of all electricity consumed in Tanzania.

Regarding the project’s cost, Ndejembi said approximately US$3.35bn US dollars, equivalent to 7.452 tri/-, had been spent on its construction. In addition to generating electricity, the project will also help control flooding along the Rufiji River, support irrigation agriculture, promote tourism and provide water for human use.

He explained that construction of the JNHPP began in June 2019 and was completed in March 2025. The reservoir has a storage capacity of 33 billion cubic metres of water, approximately 10 times the capacity of Mtera Dam.

The reservoir is an artificial lake and ranks as the fourth-largest lake in Tanzania after Lake Victoria, Lake Tanganyika and Lake Nyasa, while the JNHPP power station ranks as the fourth-largest hydropower station in Africa.

He added that investment in JNHPP directly aligns with the objectives of the National Development Vision 2050. The project is part of the government’s ongoing efforts to increase power generation, strengthen the national grid and create a favourable environment for rapid economic growth.

During the briefing, Minister Ndejembi invited all Tanzanians to follow and participate in the event, describing it as a landmark achievement in the history of Tanzania’s energy sector and national development.