The government of Tanzania has handed over the Rufiji Hydroelectric Power Generation project’s construction site and its supporting infrastructure to Arab contractors and Egypt-based El Sewedy Electric.
The deal for the project was closed in December 2018 and is expected to produce 2,115 MW of electricity that will be added to the national grid and guarantee adequate power supply for domestic and commercial uses.
The project will entail an investment of USD 2.9 million and will act as a solution to all power challenges in the country. The project is expected to be completed in the next three years which will make Tanzania the leading power producer and supplier in East Africa, with Rufiji Hydroelectric project becoming the fourth biggest dam in Africa.
Africa’s largest dam is Ethiopia’s Renaissance, which is under construction, with 6,450 MW expected upon completion in 2022. Mambira Dam in Nigeria, follows second with 3,050 MW ahead of Ethiopian Shaika Dam that produces 2,160 MW.
The Aswan Dam in Egypt, with 2,100 MW comes fifth in the ranking, beating Raula Dam in Angola, which produces 2,066 MW.