Tanzania Electric Supply Company Limited (TANESCO) has completed construction of a 50 MW solar photovoltaic plant in Kishapu District, Shinyanga Region, marking a significant milestone in the country transition toward diversified and climate resilient power generation. The project represents Phase One of the 150 MW Kishapu Solar Power Project. The facility is the largest solar PV plant in Tanzania to date.
The 50 MW installation was delivered at a cost of TZS 118.6bn, equivalent to approximately US$46.3m, with financing mobilised through support from Agence Française de Développement. The funding forms part of a broader EUR 130m sovereign loan package aimed at strengthening Tanzania transmission and distribution infrastructure. The European Union has also supported the initiative.
The Kishapu project signals a structural shift in Tanzania energy mix, which has historically relied on hydropower and natural gas generation. Large hydro assets such as the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project remain vulnerable to hydrological variability, particularly during drought periods. Utility scale solar introduces a complementary dry season generation profile, enhancing grid stability and strengthening national energy security.
Located in Shinyanga, a key mining and industrial hub in the northwest, the project is expected to improve reliability of supply to the Lake Zone. The solar plant is connected to the Shinyanga substation, a critical node in the regional transmission network, enabling more stable distribution of electricity across the area.
Integrating 50 MW of variable renewable energy required grid upgrades to manage fluctuations in output. The broader financing package includes investment in transmission and distribution improvements to accommodate increasing renewable penetration.
Phase Two of the development will add a further 100 MW, bringing total installed capacity to 150 MW. The second phase is estimated to require investment of TZS 200.4bn. TANESCO is currently finalising contractor selection as it moves toward full build out of the project.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
February 26, 2026
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