TAREA REQUESTS REA REPRESENTATION, ENERGY POLICY REVIEW

TAREA Executive Secretary, Engineer Mathew Matimbwi speaking to the TAREA Renewable Energy Week, 2024 event.

TANZANIA Renewable Energy Association (TAREA) has asked the Ministry of Energy to consider reviewing the Energy Policy to enable it emphasize the use of renewable energy for all other forms of applications rather than focusing on electricity generation only.

Also, TAREA has requested the Ministry of Energy to advise the Rural Energy Agency (REA) to nominate a representative of the private sector in REA Board from the energy stakeholders.

The TAREA Executive Secretary, Engineer Mathew Matimbwi, revieled this yesterdsy  as he was speaking to welcome the Tanzania Commissioner for Electricity and Renewable Energy, Engineer Innocent Luoga to official opening of the TAREA Renewable Energy Week, 2024 that ends today in Dar es Salaam.

Luoga was representing the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Energy, Engineer Felichesmi Mramba.

According to Engineer Matimbwi, TAREA stands in supporting the ongoing ambitions of enabling clean cooking through the promotion of use of sustainable renewable energy technologies for cooking which will contribute to the conservation of Tanzania’s forests, improve environmental care and reduce the increase in carbon dioxide in the country atmosphere.

 “We ask the government to consider reviewing the Energy Policy so that it can emphasize the use of renewable energy for all other forms of applications rather than focusing on electricity generation only.” Said Matimbwi adding that the association thanks the government for the launching the Clean Cooking Strategy and its roadmap which calls for energy mix clean cooking solutions.

According to Matimbwi, TAREA is requesting the Ministry of Energy to advise the Rural Energy Agency (REA) to nominate a representative of the private sector in REA Board from the energy stakeholders.

“There are several energy networks from which a representative can be nominated. As it is now, the principal actors in scaling up rural energy access are not represented in the agency since the private sector representative comes from the consumers’ association.

During the event with the theme: Renewable Energy for an Inclusive and Green Economy’ the guest of honor thanked the sponsors of the vent lead by Sunking as a main sponsor; Ministry of Energy; United Nations Development Program (UNDP); Expertise France, TANESCO, Ensol T. Ltd, Global Off- Grid Lighting Association (GOGLA); Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund (AECF) and European Union (EU).

According to Luoga, by recognizing the potential in ensuring secure supply and universal access to modern energies by 2030, the government is preparing to Launch ‘;The National Renewable Energy Strategy and Roadmap that will catalyze large-scale investments in renewable energy which will reflect positively to Tanzania Vision of 2026; Sustainable Development Goals of 2015; and other international and national commitments on climate change. 

“Nevertheless, the government is developing “Tanzania Energy Efficiency Strategy and Action Plan” that will support the implementation of the National Energy Policy and strategic goals to reduce energy intensity by 20 percent by 2025. The overall objective is to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all in Tanzania aimed at reducing energy consumption without sacrificing productivity, quality of service or increasing the costs,” he said.

In Tanzania, the total installed grid capacity is approximately 2,138 MW where Natural Gas contributes 56.07%; Hydropower (39.13%); Biomass (0.49%) and Fossil Fuel other than NG (4.32%). On Off Grid network is approximated 34MW. This brings access to electricity reach 78.4% and those connected to electricity 37.7%. The plan is to reach 5,000MW and electrifying all villages in rural areas by 2025. Contribution of renewable energy in grid network isn’t sufficient hence need to foster renewable energy development so as to play a vital role in the energy generation mix at the same time contribute to clean energy which anticipating to fight against climate change.

He called upon private sectors and other stakeholders considering subsidies on LNG and LPG for accelerating the use of clean cooking energy in Tanzania. 

 “By transitioning away from traditional biomass like wood and charcoal for cooking, we are not only reducing carbon emissions but also improve air quality and enhance the livelihoods of millions of people in a future life Implementation of this strategy supports directly the African Women Clean Cooking Support Programme (AWCCSP) that was launched at COP-28 on December 2023.”

“This programme aims at empowering women in Africa through intensive entrepreneurship workshops on clean cooking; establishing joint African countries forum on experience sharing; increasing women seat on management positions; elevating gender equality and reducing global climate change effects in general,” he said.