NRECA International implemented two rural electrification pilot projects in the Kilombero and Mbozi districts. These projects demonstrated newly-developed, low-cost rural electrification design standards proposed by NRECA International in an earlier project that was co-financed by the Tanzania Rural Energy Agency (REA) and the World Bank.
Tanzania’s rural electrification program historically used urban distribution design standards that resulted in prohibitively high costs for rural electrification systems. Using low-cost design standards, NRECA International successfully implemented a design and approach tailored to the needs of rural areas that could reduce costs by 25 to 50 percent. As a result, a total of 7,256 consumers are getting access to electricity for the first time.
To help facilitate future mini-grid projects designed to expand electricity access to the country’s rural areas, NRECA International also developed mini-grid standards for project developers. The project team defined engineering and performance standards and advised the government on how to oversee and ensure compliance with the new standards.
A series of feasibility studies also were conducted for the Millennium Challenge Corporation, focusing on the densification of urban electrification projects and expansion of access of electrification service in seven regions of Tanzania.
Partners
- Government of Tanzania Rural Energy Agency
- Millennium Challenge Corporation
- World Bank
- International Finance Corporation