Iringa–Sumbawanga High Voltage Power Line

Iringa–Sumbawanga High Voltage Power Line
Location
CountryTanzania
Coordinates08°46′14″S 33°45′46″E / 8.77056°S 33.76278°E / -8.77056; 33.76278
General directionEast to West
FromIringa, Tanzania
Passes throughMbeya, Tunduma
ToSumbawanga, Tanzania
Ownership information
OwnerGovernment of Tanzania
PartnersWorld Bank
OperatorTanzania Electric Supply Company
Construction information
Expected2025
Technical information
Type of currentAC
Total length385 mi (620 km)
AC voltage400kV
No. of circuits2

The Iringa–Sumbawanga High Voltage Power Line, also Iringa–Mbeya–Tunduma–Sumbawanga High Voltage Power Line, is a high voltage electricity power line, under development in Tanzania. The 400 kiloVolts power line will connect the high voltage substation at Iringa, to another high voltage substation at Sumbawanga.[1] 

Location

The power line starts in the city of Iringa, in Iringa Region, about 262 kilometres (163 mi) south of Dodoma, Tanzania's capital city.[2] The power line runs in a southwesterly direction for approximately 334 kilometres (208 mi) to the city of Mbeya, in Mbeya Region.[3]

At Mbeya, the power line continues southwestwards to the town of Tunduma, in Songwe Region, at the international border with Zambia, a distance of about 103 kilometres (64 mi).[4] From Tunduma the line travels in a north-westerly direction for about 225 kilometres (140 mi) to end in the city of Sumbawanga in Rukwa Region.[5] The power line, which does not follow the road all the time, is quoted to have a total length of approximately 620 kilometres (385 mi).[1]

Overview

The Iringa–Sumbawanga High Voltage Power Line serves two main purposes. The first is to create a high voltage backbone in the central and southern regions of Tanzania, stabilize the electricity grid and promote development in those communities. The second major purpose is to allow exchange of grid electricity between Tanzania and Zambia, and ultimately between the Eastern Africa Power Pool to which Tanzania belongs and the Southern African Power Pool to which Tanzania ad Zambia belong.[1][6]

Construction

In June 2018, the World Bank Group committed to lend the Government of Tanzania, US$455 million, towards the execution of this infrastructure project.[6] As part of this project, the electricity substation at Iringa will be updated from 220kV to 400kV, and new substations will be erected at Kisada, Mbeya, Tunduma and Sumbawanga. Work will also include a 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) double-circuit line from Tunduma to the Zambian border, which will be energized at 330kV. As of February 2020, the project was at tendering stage.[7]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c Kurrent Technologies Limited (21 March 2018). "Environmental & Social Impact Assessment Studies for the proposed Iringa–Mbeya–Tunduma–Sumbawanga 400kV Transmission Line" (PDF). World Bank Group. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
  2. ^ "Distance between Dodoma, Tanzania And Iringa Tanzania" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved 28 November 2020.
  3. ^ "Road Distance Between Iringa, Tanzania And Mbeya, Tanzania" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved 28 November 2020.
  4. ^ "Road Distance Between Mbeya, Tanzania And Tunduma, Tanzania" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved 28 November 2020.
  5. ^ "Distance Between Tunduma, Tanzania And Sumbawanga, Tanzania" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved 28 November 2020.
  6. ^ a b Babalwa Bungane (25 June 2018). "Tanzania receives $455m for transmission infrastructure". Rondebosch, South Africa: ESI Africa. Retrieved 28 November 2020.
  7. ^ African Energy Newsletter (27 February 2020). "Tanzania/Zambia: General procurement notice for interconnection". Hastings, United Kingdom: African Energy Newsletter. Retrieved 28 November 2020.