Currently the Ministry of Energy in Tanzania started to develop Renewable Energy strategy.

Developing a stand-alone Renewable energy strategy is elementary to tap the full potential of RE in Tanzania to catalyse a sustainable socio-economic development in Tanzania. Renewable energies (RE) can play a key role in shaping a just and sustainable future for Tanzania.

Learn More in our latest Policy Brief: https://cantz.or.tz/publications/22

We highlight our main insights of the Policy Brief below:

Still very minimal RE in the energy mix:

No plans for scaling up RE fast enough

Despite the political will, the adoption of renewable energy role within the energy generation mix is still very minimal,. Although Tanzania has excellent wind, solar,geothermal and biomass resources for power production,their total contribution to power generation is less than 2% apart from Hydropower. For better resilience, diversification(i.e., a mix of energy from diverse sources) in energy production is crucial as each source has its strength and weakness. By having a diversified portfolio of the energy mix, it better complements each other. Currently, the majority

of RE is from Hydropower which is among the cheapest electricity worldwide and most susceptible to climate change's impact on water resources. Furthermore, the guiding plan (Power System Master Plan 2022, PSMP 2020) does not appropriately address the high potential of affordable

RE in Tanzania, by Planning for 12 % of the power generated in 2044 to be derived from non-hydro RE (solar,wind & geothermal). The implementation of the PSMP 2020 will contribute to the climate crisis with 56 mt CO2e annually by 2050 will a carbon-neutral power sectors with

100 % RE is possible by 2050 if an enabling environment for it will be created. Although it increases

the role of fossil fuels within the energy mix mostly coal and natural gas. The continual dependency

and use of fossil-based fuel within the energy mix is detrimental to the economy and environment

hence needs to be phased out strategically. Recent scenarios for Tanzanian energy future show

that a fast upscaling of 100 % RE by 2050 is possible and more cost-effective than relying on fossil fuel based solution for enhanced energy access.(IRENA 2021, Clean Energy Transition Tanzania

2022) RE play a key role in fast-tracking the just-phase-out of fossil energies.

Advocating for a stand alone national RE strategy

There is a multitude of factors challenging the adoption of renewable energy as highlighted in multiple works of literature. With a clear will and goal, concrete actions need to be undertaken to rectify the situation to reach the benefits (i.e., socio economic benefits, environmental benefits, and national benefits) derived from renewable energy. In our latest policy brief aim to inform the development of a  stand-alone National Renewable energy Strategy as  one of the tools to rectify the situation. The strategy shall guide the development of RE, its integration into other sectors, alignment of different stakeholders interests and facilitate the formulation of an institutional framework to address RE. By highlighting reasons for transitioning from fossil based fuel, showing the role of RE in the transition and its benefits to the nation and person. This is further complemented by highlighting the current context of RE in Tanzania and the barriers associated, together with proposing of solution. The solution suggested is further strengthened  by reflecting on case studies which have used similar solutions and attained significant results

Proposed solution

To overcome barriers  blocking Reneweable Energie in Tazania requires a stand-alone Renewable energy strategy that guides in having a comprehensive policy framework, institutional framework, clear packaged projects, and a long-term strategy for harmonization. a well-designed framework for renewable energy deployment can offer concrete opportunities to show synergies and complementarities among the three challenges faced by Tanzania: energy security, socio-economic development, and climate change.

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Policy Recommendations

Fast-track phase-out of fossil fuel and fast-track 100 % RE

The government and its stakeholders are strongly encouraged to formulate a renewable energy strategy with the fol-lowing roles among others, setting the big picture, creating an institutional framework, assigning priorities and aligning policies. For an actionable strategy objective, indicators, action plan, resource mobilization, stakeholder engagement and M&E have to be part of it. The development of the strategy should be informed by the best available knowledge and science. Therefore, it should be based on a participatory stakeholder process including the knowledge of relevant stakeholders (private sector, CSOs, Academia research, development partner, LGA, and local communities) The process of developing a standalone RE strategy should be led by the Ministry of Energy (MoE) in close collaboration with the Vice President Office (VPO, responsible for environmental policy). The realization of the standalone strategy should lead by a focal point reflecting on best-practice from REA and SREDA.

Research showed that 100 % RE is possible for Tanzania & a phase-out of fossil fuel production is necessary for a just and livable future limiting global warming to 1.5 °C. Therefore, a stand-alone Re strategy must be built on two key goals: Fast-track phase-out fossil fuels and fast-track 100 % RE.

Pathways for the energy transition: Sectoral targets and indicators

The strategy needs to develop a science-based and cost-effective pathway for fossil fuels phase-out (use & produc-tion) and science-based pathways for a fast-tracked energy transition to 100 % RE. Based on the scenarios the Policy must define annual sectoral targets and indicators to monitor the progress of these indicators. Following this process the transition pathways have to be mainstreamed into other national planning scenarios and be considered in the re-view of key national strategies (e.g., NYFDP, NCCRS, PSMP). For best results, the following are required

A) Action Plan

To be actionable the strategy must define an action plan with activities and programs to achieve the set targets. The ac-tion plan should be informed by a participatory stakeholder process and include a stakeholder mapping of relevant actors to realize the strategy.

B) Resource mobilization plan

A participatory assessment of needed resources for the realization of the strategy should inform an analysis of potential mobilizable resources to draft a resource mobilization plan. This ensures that sufficient resources are mobilized for the successful implementation of the strategy.

C) M&E

The goals, activities and indicators should be monitored constantly. To ensure fast progress and stay on track annual re-view and evaluation cycles should be conducted. The strategy should have a mechanism to integrate new activities into the strategy to fill gaps that are shown in the annual review. A solid M&E ensure learning-by-doing and application of the best available knowledge.

D) Stand-alone RE-Policy and framework

To guarantee legal security for investors and stakeholders and build an enabling policy environment a stand-alone RE Po-licy and supporting regulations as to be developed by policymakers and regulators. A robust policy & regulatory frame-work creates opportunities for the private sector to engage in the realization of a RE strategy

F) Focal Point

A focal point ensures the ability to coordinate the effective realization of the stand-alone RE strategy. It functions as a knowledge hub, centre for resource mobilization and coordination of stakeholders and activities. As the best practice of REA and SREDA show focal points are efficient in the realization of standalone strategies.