US$56m Norway funds for Zanzibar power

  1. Posted on Thursday 14 August 2008 - 11:00
    Sam Banda Junior
    Image of Sam Banda Junior
    Sam Banda Junior, AfricaNews reporter in Blantyre, Malawi, photo: Daniel Sibanda
    According to a statement from the Norwegian Embassy, US$56million will be provided to Zanzibar for the new cable which will ensure that Pemba gets reliable and stable power to its people.
    energy_south_africa
    Zanzibar is one of the regions which has been struggling with electricity and the Norway fund is set to wipe out the problem. According to a statement from the Norwegian Embassy quoted by Reuters, the new cable will ensure that Pemba gets reliable and stable power to its people.

    It is anticipated that the cable will be operational towards the end of 2010, said the statement.

    A 73 km line will connect Pemba to Tanga in north east Tanzania and replace three old diesel generators currently providing the population on the island with electricity.

    However for the whole project to be finished, Zanzibar will need to pump in more money.

    The US$ 56 million given by Norway will cover about 75 percent of the money needed and will also be used to install overhead transmission cables and substations in Pemba.

    A Reuters report said the main Zanzibar Island relies on a single submarine cable for its electricity from mainland Tanzania.

    The report further says vulnerability was evident when in late June the archipelago went for weeks without electricity when that link broke.

    This is not the first time for Norway to assist African countries.

    In Malawi Norway has taken centre stage in funding various projects ranging from helping uplift literature.

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