afrol News, 1 October - Supply of electricity in Tanzania has normalised, efficiently ending rationing that began last week, following repairs on one of three natural gas turbines, country's electric supply company (TANESCO) announced yesterday.

Last Wednesday, TANESCO reported five-hour power cuts after turbines run by Songas, a separate generating utility were reportedly shut down for emergency maintenance.

The rationing was later increased to 10 hours a day, reports show.

TANESCO spokesperson Badra Masoud said that Songas had restored 40 Megawatts to grid after technicians fixed one turbine.

Experts had been working since Sunday to revive other two turbines, Ms Masoud said, adding that Songas had stepped up power generation from 70 MW to 110MW yesterday, while Tanesco had boosted output at its various plants to 536MW to meet national demand.

"Because of this improvement, we have effectively suspended rationing," Ms Masoud was quoted as saying.

Announcement prompted fears of a repeat of crippling power crisis of 2006 caused by a drastic fall in water levels at Tanesco hydro stations.

However, prime minister Mizengo Pinda and energy and minerals ministry moved to calm jangling nerves by saying that crisis caused by Songas breakdown was temporary.

Ms Masoud further noted that TANESCO has successfully managed to fill 70 MW of the 110 MW deficit using its own natural gas-powered turbines and hydroelectric plants.

She explained that Songas produces a total 190 MW at its plant in Dar es Salaam, where TANESCO also has its own gas plant generating another 100 MW.

TANESCO has an installed capacity of 1,212 MW, of which 562 MW is from hydro dams. The company forecasts annual demand will rise to more than 1,100 MW by 2010.

The east African state of about 40 million people suffered extensive power cuts in 2006 after drought slashed hydropower production.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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