Tanzania’s Kishapu Solar Project Faces Fresh Delays, Phase One Completion Pushed To 2026

Tanzania’s flagship Kishapu solar power project has faced new delays, with the completion of its first phase now expected in early 2026. The project, located in the Shinyanga region, is a 150-megawatt solar plant being developed by the state-owned Tanzania Electric Supply Company (TANESCO). It is seen as a key step in the country’s efforts to diversify its power sources and reduce dependence on hydropower and natural gas.

The project is being supported by the French Development Agency (AFD), which has provided a loan of €130 million. The first phase of the project, with a capacity of 50MW, was initially expected to be completed by the end of 2024 or early 2025. However, recent government updates show that the project is around 89% complete, and the expected commissioning has now been pushed to the end of January 2026.

According to officials, the main reason for the delay is the challenge of integrating solar power into the national electricity grid. Solar energy is intermittent by nature, as generation depends on sunlight, and this requires a more advanced and flexible grid system. To address this issue, part of the project funding is being used to upgrade Tanzania’s electricity network into a smart grid. In addition, a new National Grid Control Center is being built in Dodoma to improve monitoring, control, and stability of power supply across the country.

Government representatives have maintained that the project is in its final stages despite the delay. Deputy Minister for Energy Salome Makamba recently stated that once the first 50MW phase becomes operational, it will significantly improve electricity availability. The power generated from Kishapu is expected to benefit more than 50,000 households and support industrial activities in the Lake Zone, especially cotton processing, which is an important economic activity in the region.

The Kishapu solar project is also being viewed as a pilot initiative for Tanzania’s broader renewable energy plans. By producing electricity during the daytime, the solar plant will allow the country to save water in its hydropower reservoirs. This stored water can then be used during evening peak demand periods or in dry seasons when rainfall is low.

While the immediate focus remains on completing the first phase, plans are already in place for a second phase that will add another 100MW. Once fully developed, Kishapu will become one of the largest grid-connected solar power plants in East Africa. The project aligns with Tanzania’s long-term goal of increasing its total power generation capacity to 8,000MW by 2030, with solar energy expected to play an important role in achieving this target.