.jpg)
Dowans power plant
The government yesterday backed negotiations between two energy firms for the purchase of the Dowans power plant and plan to switch it on, as a major contribution to relieving the country’s power crisis.
“We want electricity; we want development for our people. We will definitely support the initiative,” said Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Energy and Minerals, David Jairo in an exclusive interview with the Guardian yesterday in Dar es Salaam.
He said the government was aware of the on-going negotiations between US-based energy firm, Symbion Power and Dowans Company on the purchase of the power plant, which has been lying idle at the Tanzania Electric Supply Company Limited (Tanesco’s) Ubungo compound.
The PS said the conclusion of the negotiations would boost government efforts to help Tanzanians resolve the prolonged power crisis.
He was particularly impressed by Symbion’s plan to switch on the Dowans plant after finalisation of the acquisition deal, saying that the government would give full support to the firm’s initiatives.
“the government will support them (Symbion Power). as I said earlier, we need power, the nation needs electricity. Our development needs power. so, we have to support such positive initiatives (switching on Dowans plant),” said Jairo, adding:
“what we need is power and not politics…we don’t like politics.”
He stressed that the nation needed electricity to improve productivity, describing electricity as a catalyst for the country’s growth and development.
With reliable power supply and efficient, productive sectors, he said, more jobs would be created for Tanzanians, thus “improving production, business and investment activities leading to improved living standards.”
Reports confirmed by Symbion Power Chief Executive Officer, Paul Hinks yesterday said two energy firms were expected to announce conclusion of the deal today at a press conference in Dar es Salaam.
“Discussions have reached the final stage, and we expect to unveil more details on the acquisition of the Dowans plant today,” he said, but declined to give more details on the premise that comprehensive information on the deal would be known today.
US Embassy Spokesperson, Dr Ilya Levin hailed the deal in a statement yesterday: "We welcome foreign investment in the Tanzanian economy. We also welcome efforts to help alleviate the current energy crisis."
On Thursday, the Guardian reported that US-based energy firm, Symbion Power was finalising talks to buy the Dowans plant, with the aim of generating electricity to rescue the country from the current power blues.
Investors’ circles in Dar es Salaam had reported that negotiations between Symbion and owners of Dowans Power Company for the acquisition of the power plant at Ubungo had been going on for sometime.
Symbion Power Chief Executive Officer Hinks confirmed the Symbion-Dowans’ negotiations to the Guardian, saying: “yes, what you have heard is true…absolutely true.”
