Lack of reliable access to electricity is a significant barrier to economic development and job creation in Tanzania. This ‘Inside story on climate compatible development’ by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) explores Tanzania’s Small Power Projects (SPP) programme. The programme was designed by the Government of Tanzania – with very limited financial resources – to support renewable energy deployment. As a result, decentralised renewable energy solutions are contributing to Tanzania’s climate compatible development by: supporting economic development through improved access to reliable electricity; reducing greenhouse gas emissions; and lessening vulnerability to fossil fuel price shocks and to drought-related hydropower shortages. Tanzania’s renewable energy policymaking and implementation has benefitted from intensive South-South exchange with Thailand and Sri Lanka.
This summary was prepared by Eldis.
Investment in Tanzania’s energy sector is growing, but how much attention is being given to decentralised energy solutions for people who still lack energy for their basic needs: to light their homes and power their farms and businesses?
Thailand’s support policies for renewable energy in the power sector have allowed individual small projects to add up to something substantial, attracting more investment and leading to faster growth in the sector than in most other Asian nations.