JUMEME Rural Power Supply Ltd. celebrated the launch of its solar-powered mini-grid on the Tanzanian island of Ukara in Lake Victoria. The project was installed in the island city of Bwisya. The project “Micro Power Economy, Tanzania Roll-out”, developed by JUMEME and its international partners, is aimed at implementing and operating solar-hybrid mini-grids in remote settlements in Tanzania.
The project had a total budget of €16 million and is co-funded by the EU under the European Commission ACP-EU Energy Facility with a commitment of €7.4 million. According to the company 50% of the project cost are covered through private investment (both equity and debt). The mini-grid in Bwisya is the first of 30 systems to be installed by JUMEME over the next two years, supplying reliable electricity to around 100,000 people.
The power system was set up in Bwisya, the largest village on Ukara, where initially 250 customers will be connected to a hybrid power station consisting of a 60 KW solar PV system, a 33 kVA diesel genset, and a 240 kWh battery bank. The system will be extended in H2 to connect the other villages on the island with a total of 2,000 customers.
For the implementation of the pilot project in Bwisya, JUMEME receives additional co-financing from the Energy and Environment Partnership Program with Southern and East Africa, Phase II. Grants for technical assistance are provided by the OPIC, the Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa and the Global Climate Partnership Fund.