16 August 2013, Dar Es Salaam – Tanzanian and US regulatory agencies have signed a pact in Dar es Salaam to jointly build power regulation capacity with the aim of solving Tanzania’s energy problems, Tanzania’s The Guardian reported.
The pact was signed by Tanzania’s Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority, EWURA, Director General Haruna Masebu and Illinois Commerce Commission Commissioner John Colgan, and witnessed by US Ambassador to Tanzania Alfonso Lenhardt and EWURA Board Chairman Simon Sayore.
“Despite a booming economy and vast natural resources, Tanzania still faces formidable challenges in the energy sector,” Lenhardt said, adding that the pact will help Tanzania extend electricity throughout the country, improving access for businesses and citizens.
The pact is one of the first activities conducted under the Power Africa Initiative launched by US President Barack Obama during his recent trip to Africa.
Under the initiative, the US government will provide technical tools, mobilise private capital, facilitate capacity building to advance energy transactions and help Tanzania implement policy and regulatory reforms to attract investment.
The partnership will be implemented by the US National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners with support from the US Agency for International Development.
In addition, Lenhardt said the US government will work with the Tanzanian Ministry of Energy and Mineral’s Delivery Unit to implement projects to generate approximately 500 megawatts of power by 2015. “We are helping Tanzania put in place the policy and institutional reforms needed to attract new private African partners and international investors to the energy sector,” he said.
– Sabahi
