Tanzania: Dams shut down as water levels fall

Tanzania has been forced to halt power generation at all of its dams after reservoirs fell to levels that can damage hydroelectric equipment. Media reports said electricity output fell to as little as 105MW as thermal power plants struggled to make up the shortfall. The dam closures came as gas from the new Mtwara pipeline started to be supplied to thermal power plants, raising hopes that the crisis may soon be partly alleviated. Symbion Power’s 112MW Ubungo plant has begun testing using gas from Mtwara.