Joint press release between the governments of Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom / Development Partners provide Backup Generators to Zanzibar
DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania, July 29, 2010/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Norway, Sweden and the UK, in collaboration with the Zanzibar Government, have provided 32 (1MVA) diesel generators to help provide a safe and reliable power back-up system and energy security on the island of Unguja.
The generators, whose purchase and installation cost approximately Tsh. 17 billion (US$ 11.5 million), will provide 25MW of emergency power to the Unguja island. They will provide great relief to the estimated 800,000 people of the island, including the 25% of households which are connected to the electricity grid.
Zanzibar has experienced several power outages in the past when the cable that supplies the island’s main source of electricity has failed. The last major power outage in December 2009 lasted 3 months and had significant economic and social impact. Many small businesses were forced to work shorter hours or close early in the season, which impacted people’s incomes and Government revenue. The supply of clean water was, according to UN assessment, reduced by 50%. Government had to spend extra money to keep essential services like hospitals and schools running.
Although the cable has now been repaired and a new one is expected to be installed in 2013, islanders have no alternative source of centrally supplied power during outages. They continue to rely on private generators to supply energy to homes and keep essential services, like clean water supply, hospitals and schools, going.
The generators provided by Norway, Sweden and the UK will provide a source of alternative power which is crucial to Zanzibar should the cable fail again. They will ensure that the economic and social impacts the islanders experienced during the last power shortages never happen again.
SOURCE
Norway, Sweden and the UK governments
