Focal Studies; Solar and Wind Power in U.S.A Hydroelectric Power and Biogas in Tanzania

1. Source of employment: Solar and wind energy industry is more labor-intensive. The wind energy industry employs many Americans in a variety of capacities, including manufacturing, project development, construction and wind mill installation, operations and maintenance, transportation and logistics; and financial, legal and consulting services.
2. Industrial development: The energy and power generated from resources such as coal, uranium, petroleum and water are very expensive compared to wind and solar energy.
3. Agricultural development: Wind and solar power is commonly used in large farms to supply electricity required for such activities as pumping water, lighting and heating. This has, in turn, promoted large-scale agriculture in the country.
4. Conservation of non-renewable energy resources: Depending on renewable energy sources such as wind, solar and hydroelectricity for power and energy, generation helps to conserve the nonrenewable energy sources such as gas, coal and petroleum.
5. Reduced environmental pollution: Exploitation of non-renewable energy resources, such as petroleum, coal, and wood, releases harmful gases to the atmosphere, which pollutes the environment.
6. Improved standard of living: People employed directly and indirectly in the wind and energy industry earn cash, which they spend on their daily needs as well as other amenities. Solar and wind energy is cheap and hence affordable to many Americans
7. Development of other sectors of economy: Growth in power and solar industry creates positive multiplier effects. The growth of industries involved in the manufacture of wind and solar energy equipment depends on the growth and existence of the solar and wind generation industry
8. Generation of revenue: Local governments collect property and income taxes and other payments from energy project owners. These revenues can help support public services, especially in rural communities, where projects are often located
9. Stabilization of energy prices in future: Wind and solar energy is providing affordable electricity across the country right now, and can help stabilize energy prices in future. The costs of solar and wind energy technologies have declined steadily, and are projected to drop even more.
10. Diversification of energy supplies: Using more wind and solar energy can lower the prices and demand for natural gas and coal by increasing competition and diversification of energy supplies.
11. Reliability and flexibility: Wind and solar energy supplies are less prone to large-scale failure because they are distributed and modular. Distributed systems are spread out over a large geographical area, so a severe weather event in one location will not cut off power to an entire region.
12. Sustainability: For as long as the sunshine's and the wind blows, the energy produced can be harnessed to send power across the grid.

1. Generation of wind and solar power depends on prevailing weather conditions. In case of little or no sunshine due to prolonged cloud cover or if there is very low wind speed, then very little power will be generated.
2. People are still reluctant to change from dependency on the traditional energy sources, such as hydroelectricity.
3. The cost of installation of equipment for generating wind and solar power on a large-scale is very high. This has led to limited investment in the industry.
4. The cost of leasing land for building wing energy projects is very high. The problem has made many companies reluctant to establish wind power projects.
5. The industry is facing stiff competition from other sectors of energy and power, such as coal power, hydroelectric power, and geothermal power.
6. Unequal government subsidies and taxes.
7. Wind and solar power developers may have difficulty-obtaining financing at rates as low as may be available for conventional energy facilities.
8. Good wind sites are often located in remote areas, far from the cities where electricity is needed most.
9. Wind resource development may not be the most profitable use of the land

1. HEP contributes about 57% of the total electricity generated in Tanzania.
2. The electricity sector is dominated by the Tanzania Electric Supply Company (TANESCO).

Major hydropower stations operated by TANESCO

These stations produce a combined total of 561 MW of electricity:

1. Kidatu
2. Kihansi
3. Mtera
4. Pangani
5. Hale
6. Nyumba ya Mungu
7. Uwemba

Additional power generation

1. TANESCO also generates thermal electricity using natural gas and diesel.

2. There are Independent Power Producers (IPPs) that:

   • Generate power from gas and diesel.
   • Sell the electricity to TANESCO, which is then fed into the national grid.

1. Due to increasing energy demand and limited traditional resources, Tanzania is exploring alternative energy sources.
2. Biogas is one such renewable energy source.

Uses of biogas

Biogas is used for:

1. Heating

2. Lighting

3. Cooking

   • In homes, schools, hospitals, and other institutions.

Production of biogas

1. Produced through anaerobic digestion or fermentation of:

   • Manure
   • Sewage
   • Municipal waste
   • Plant material
   • Crops

History of biogas technology in Tanzania

• Introduced in 1975

Hydroelectricity and biogas are very important power resources in Tanzania. Outlined below are some of the importance of producing these resources:

1. Hydroelectricity and biogas industry employs people who carry out energy production activities. The sector is serves as the source of employment opportunities to some Tanzanians. This helps to improve their income and hence the standard of living.
2. The hydroelectricity generated in Tanzania is used to power other industries and sectors of economy. It, therefore, leads to industrial development as well as other economic sectors in the country.
3. Biogas generation in rural areas has greatly helped to improve the living standard of the rural people.
4. Drudgery of collection and carrying of fireweed, exposure to smoke in the kitchen, and time spent for cooking and cleaning of utensils.
5. The use of biogas and hydroelectricity has greatly reduced the problem of cutting down trees for firewood. This has consequently helped to prevent deforestation, hence ensuring environmental conservation..
6. Development partners from abroad undertake most of the biogas projects. This has helped to improve the relationship between Tanzania and the partners' mother countries.
7. The residue of the organic matter left back after biogas has been generated is used as enriched organic manure, which can supplement or even replace chemical fertilizers.

1. Unreliable climatic conditions: Hydroelectric power generation relies on rain-fed rivers and dams. There has recently been occurring long dry spells, which lower the volumes of rivers and dams, thus curtailing hydroelectricity generation.
2. Lack of adequate capital: Generation of HEP and biogas requires investment in installation of hydropower and biogas plants, respectively, all of which are hampered by availability of capital.
3. Siltation: The continuous accumulation of silt in the dams leads to reduction in water volume and hence low hydroelectricity generation. The problem also leads to increased operation costs because the silt has to be dredged periodically.
4. Lack of skilled personnel: The establishment and operation of hydroelectric and biogas plants require skilled personnel. There are very few locals with the required expertise and professional skills to operate the projects.
5. Reluctance by the people: People are still reluctant in adopting the biogas technology. Many people depend on use of wood as their major source of fuel. This has led to low investment in the industry and hence low production of the biogas.

1. The silt in dams should be removed frequently to prevent reduction in water volume and the consequent drop in production.
2. The government should invest in other forms of energy generation such as geothermal and coal power in order to reduce overdependence on hydroelectricity.
3. Establishment of training institutions to train manpower on energy production technology. This will help produce skilled work force to manage the power sector.
4. Power generation must be liberalized in order to attract investors with sufficient capital to invest in the industry.
5. Conducting mass education to educate people to adopt the production and use of biogas. These can be done through seminars, trade shows and mass media, among other means. People benefiting from the use of biogas may be invited to convey the message to those individuals reluctant in adopting the technology.
6. To develop and use alternative sources of energy like solar and wind power.

1. In USA, the energy sector is liberalized, so many private companies are allowed to generate and sell energy and power. Tanzania should also copy USA's example by allowing more private investors to participate in energy and power generation rather than allowing TANESCO to monopolize the energy production.
2. The USA has diversified its energy and power industry very well. The country generates power from different sources, ranging from nuclear to biogas plants. Tanzania can do the same by using natural gas, coal and uranium discovered in various parts of the country to produce the highly demanded power to boost her economy.
3. The government should form agencies to address the generation of solar and wind energy. There is great potential of wind and solar energy in Tanzania because of the presence of suitable conditions for harnessing these power recourses.
4. The government should support the development of various energy sources by providing funds to local companies as well as creating favorable investment conditions to multi-million energy production companies to invest in the energy generation sector.
5. The USA uses her own experts to develop the energy industry. Tanzania should also train her own people so that they can take active part in building energy generation projects rather than depending on skilled personnel from outside the country.