The Ministry of Energy and Minerals of Tanzania has issued a tender for consulting services on legal issues regarding the construction of a 358 MW hydropower station at Ruhudji River, according to the East African. The article said that the Ministry was seeking “consulting services on financial and transactions to support the government and the Tanzania Electricity Supply Company (Tanesco) with the preparation, negotiation, and finalization of the project’s financing.”
The hydro-power project, estimated to cost around $800 million, is to be partly financed by a loan from the World Bank. The project is to be launched via a Public Private Partnership (PPP) approach.
The government is contracting a legal consultant to help Tanesco and the government to ensure the venture is developed and structured in a timely manner as a bankable project in a manner consistent with the best international market practices for PPP power projects.
Ruhudji is one of several hydropower projects targeted by the Tanzanian government in its power master plan. Other projects include the 200 MW Mchuchuma Coal fired plant and the 222 MW Rumakali Hydropower Development.