Egypt supports Tanzania’s Rufiji Dam: Electricity min.

CAIRO – 8 October 2019: Egyptian Ministry of Electricity signaled the deep relations between Egypt and Tanzania, and Egypt’s keenness on supporting the construction of the Rufiji Dam.

The statement said that the Egyptian political and diplomatic leadership seeks to promote relations with Africa by prioritizing the continent’s goals, supporting it with the needed technical assistance, and developing human resources and capabilities based on mutual interests to achieve a win-win situation.

The statement came following a visit by Tanzanian Minister of Electricity Medard Motogolo Kalemani and an escorting delegation to Egypt, where he met with his Egyptian counterpart Mohamed Shaker.

For his side, Minister Shaker presented Egypt’s capabilities in electricity and renewable energy sector, and measures taken to secure sufficient electricity amid the challenges of the past period.

He also highlighted Egypt’s keenness to promote renewable energy projects, utilizing its natural resources of solar and wind energy. He further shed light on one of the major energy projects in southern Egypt, Aswan, which is Benban Solar Park, an under construction photovoltaic power station with a planned total capacity of 1650 MWp, which corresponds to an annual production of approximately 3.8 TWh.

Furthermore, the bilateral discussions tackled the updates of the construction of Stiegler's Gorge Dam in Tanzania, which will have a capacity of 2,100 Megawatts, and is meant to boost Tanzanian economy. The dam can open the door for Egyptian companies to execute further projects in Tanzania or other African states.

“The Egyptian electricity sector is committed to engaging with the Tanzanian counterpart to implement this important project through sharing technology, expertise and empowering the local participation in the execution process of the project,” said Minister Shaker.

The dam will be built by a coalition of The Arab Contractors Egyptian Company and El Sewedy Electric at a cost of $3.6 billion. Stiegler's Gorge Hydroelectric Power Station is expected to produce 5,920 GWh of power annually to fill the electricity and energy shortage in the country.

Minister Shaker added that the electricity sector organizes around 116 training programs that can be replicated and adjusted to Tanzania’s needs.

Shaker said that measures are currently being taken to establish the first hydropower plant in the Middle East in Mount Ataqawith a capacity of 2400 MW to generate electricity from water stations using pumping and storage technology, aiming to utilize the energy produced from new and renewable sources, store them and then use them when needed.