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By Olawunmi Ashafa (News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
The Iringa-Shinyanga transmission line, a 670-kilometer, 400 kV artery, a transformative power transmission project in Tanzania is positively changing the healthcare and fostering regional energy integration across Eastern and Southern Africa.
The transmission line is boosting domestic power access while simultaneously acting as a crucial link between regional power pools, paving the way for increased cross-border electricity trade.
This ambitious undertaking, backed by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and other international financial institutions, represents a major step forward in Africa’s pursuit of energy integration under the Mission 300 initiative.
By strengthening Tanzania’s power infrastructure and facilitating regional electricity exchange, the transmission line promises to be a catalyst for economic growth and enhanced energy security.
The Iringa-Shinyanga line, complementing an existing 220 kV system, has significantly improved power reliability for homes and businesses across Tanzania.
This is particularly impactful in the northern regions, where previous power shortages hampered industrial development, healthcare services, and overall economic activity.
Andrew Muguwa, Principal Operations Officer at the AfDB, during a news conference in Dodoma ahead of the Africa Energy Summit in Dar es Salaam, emphasised the project’s broader impact.
According to him, the infrastructure, which is located in Tanzania, has implications far beyond its borders.
Muguwa noted that it would form the backbone of regional electricity trading, integrating power systems from Ethiopia to Southern Africa.
The Iringa-Shinyanga line’s most significant achievement is its role in connecting the Eastern Africa Power Pool (EAPP) and the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP).
This groundbreaking interconnection facilitates seamless electricity trading between these two major regional markets.
The EAPP, comprised of 13 member nations, and the SAPP, with 12 member states, have historically struggled with connectivity issues that limited efficient electricity trade.
With the completion of this transmission line, member countries can now buy and sell surplus power, leading to a more stable and resilient regional grid.
Muguwa said that, in the coming years, the line would connect directly to Zambia, further strengthening ties with the SAPP.
“Its link to Kenya also indirectly connects it to Ethiopia, Uganda, and the broader East African network,” he added.
This means power generated from Ethiopia’s abundant hydropower resources could eventually be transmitted through Tanzania to energy-demanding markets in Southern Africa.
Conversely, excess electricity from Zambia and Mozambique could help stabilise grids in East Africa.
Beyond its regional importance, the Iringa-Shinyanga project has dramatically improved energy stability for Tanzanian communities, particularly in essential sectors like healthcare.
The impact of the projects remains clearly visible at the Dodoma Regional Referral Hospital.
Unreliable power previously forced medical personnel to rely on backup generators, disrupting critical procedures.
Now, with a consistent power supply, the hospital has expanded its capacity, modernised its equipment, and significantly improved patient care.
Also, Dr Baraka Mponda, the hospital’s Acting Medical Director said that,”Before this project, frequent power outages made it difficult to operate intensive care units and operating theaters.
“Now, we rarely use backup generators, and this has encouraged investment in new medical technology, allowing us to provide better services.”
The hospital’s patient volume has doubled, rising from under 1,000 weekly patients to as many as 2,000.
The facility, formerly a regional hospital, has since been upgraded to a referral hospital, demonstrating the wider socio-economic benefits of reliable electricity – a testament to the success of the Iringa-Shinyanga health project.
The success of the Iringa-Shinyanga transmission line highlights the importance of large-scale infrastructure investment in Africa’s power sector.
By enhancing energy security, promoting economic growth, and enabling regional integration, such projects serve as valuable models for other nations seeking to improve their power systems.
As the African Development Bank continues to champion Mission 300, the lessons learned from Tanzania’s experience will be crucial in shaping future energy policies and investment strategies across the continent.
With increased funding, strong political will, and enhanced regional cooperation, the vision of a fully integrated African power grid is becoming increasingly attainable. (NAN)
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