In a strategic move towards energy independence, Tanzania is setting its sights on slashing fuel imports by 28% by the year 2050. This ambitious goal is propelled by the escalating exploration and drilling activities in the realm of local natural gas.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Energy, Dr. Dotto Biteko, made this groundbreaking announcement during the signing ceremony of the cooperation agreement for the natural gas project in the Ruvuma block on the mainland. The agreement was inked between the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC) and Ndovu Gas Drilling Company.
Dr. Biteko, who is currently in Zanzibar for the 60th-anniversary celebrations of the 1964 revolution, outlined the government's commitment to ensuring the availability of natural gas for both citizens and industries. He emphasized the importance of reducing the country's reliance on imported fuels and underlined the government's broader strategy to implement the gas policy.
"At the Ministry of Energy, our strategy is to ensure the implementation of the gas policy, which includes ensuring wide distribution of clean energy that reaches various customers easily and affordably. As a nation, we should look into things that will quickly get people out of poverty," Dr. Biteko stated.
Presently, 80% of the gas produced in the country is dedicated to electricity generation, with 38% allocated for industrial usage and 10% for domestic purposes. To ensure broader access to natural gas, there is a planned transformation of gas into liquid, with strategic transport initiatives designed to cover different parts of the nation.
The TPDC Director General, Mr. Mussa Makame, elaborated on the project's significance, expressing confidence that it would enhance natural gas availability, thereby contributing to the country's economic growth. The new project aims to produce 60 million cubic feet per day initially, scaling up to 140 million cubic feet in the first three years.
Makame disclosed that as part of the collaboration, new drilling points are planned for the current year to boost gas production. The project includes the construction of infrastructure for gas collection, a 34-kilometer pipeline for initial transportation, and the groundbreaking development of infrastructure to convert natural gas into a liquid—a pioneering milestone in Tanzania's energy sector.
Mtwara Regional Commissioner, Ahmed Abbas, underscored the sustainable impact of the project, benefitting both the local communities near the gas drilling areas and the nation at large. The initiative marks a pivotal step towards energy self-sufficiency, aligning Tanzania with its long-term vision for economic prosperity and reduced reliance on fuel imports.