Tanzania's TANESCO Builds Emergency Power Line After 132kV Transmission Fault
Tanzania's electricity utility TANESCO has constructed a temporary overhead transmission line to improve power supply in Mbagala, Kigamboni, Mkuranga and Kibiti following a fault on a 132kV underground line in Gongolamboto. Managing Director Lazaro Twange says technical teams are working to restore normal services while permanent repairs continue.
DAR ES SALAAM, November 7, 2026 — Tanzania Electric Supply Company Limited (TANESCO) has constructed a temporary overhead power transmission line to improve electricity supply to Mbagala, Kigamboni, Mkuranga and Kibiti, following a technical fault affecting a 132-kilovolt (132kV) underground transmission line in the Gongolamboto area of Dar es Salaam.
The emergency intervention is part of the state-owned utility's efforts to minimise power disruptions, strengthen electricity supply reliability and restore normal services to affected customers while repairs to the damaged underground infrastructure continue.
The temporary overhead transmission line has been constructed across the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) infrastructure corridor, providing an alternative route for electricity transmission around the damaged section of the underground cable.
The solution is expected to improve power availability in the affected areas once the remaining connection and commissioning works have been completed.
TANESCO Managing Director Inspects Emergency Works
Speaking during an inspection visit on Saturday, November 7, 2026, TANESCO Managing Director Lazaro Twange commended the company's technical teams for their swift response and innovative approach to addressing the electricity supply challenges.
Twange said the utility remains committed to implementing practical and sustainable technical solutions to ensure reliable electricity services while minimising disruptions to households, businesses and other essential economic activities.
"We came here to inspect the progress of the works and assess the measures being implemented by our technical teams. We are encouraged to see that they have successfully developed an alternative overhead transmission route crossing the SGR corridor to facilitate electricity transmission to our customers while repairs to the underground line continue," Twange said.
"We assure our customers that we are doing everything possible to ensure they receive electricity services," he added.
The Managing Director further emphasised that improving electricity infrastructure, strengthening operational resilience and ensuring customer satisfaction remain central to TANESCO's service delivery priorities.
Emergency Power Infrastructure to Improve Supply Reliability
According to TANESCO, technical teams are undertaking the final stages of connecting and completing the temporary overhead transmission system.
The works are being carried out under strict technical and safety procedures to ensure the infrastructure can operate efficiently and safely once commissioned.
The emergency solution is designed to reduce pressure on the existing alternative power supply infrastructure, which has limited capacity to meet the full electricity demand of the affected areas simultaneously.
TANESCO said the intervention would support improved power distribution while permanent repairs to the affected underground transmission line continue.
Fault on 132kV Transmission Line Disrupts Electricity Supply
The technical fault was first reported on November 3, 2026, affecting the 132kV underground electricity transmission line connecting the Gongolamboto Receiving and Substation facilities to Mbagala and Dege substations in Kigamboni.
The disruption affected electricity availability in parts of Mbagala, Kigamboni, Mkuranga and Kibiti, where the existing backup transmission arrangement could not accommodate the full power demand at the same time.
The company subsequently mobilised technical teams to develop an emergency overhead transmission alternative that would bypass the damaged underground section.
TANESCO Reaffirms Commitment to Reliable Electricity
Twange thanked affected customers for their patience and cooperation throughout the disruption, assuring them that the company was taking the necessary steps to restore normal electricity services as quickly as possible.
He reiterated TANESCO's commitment to strengthening the country's electricity infrastructure and improving its capacity to respond effectively to unexpected technical challenges.
The utility continues to repair the damaged transmission infrastructure while completing the temporary alternative system to improve electricity availability across the affected communities.
The intervention underscores TANESCO's efforts to strengthen power supply reliability, minimise service interruptions and support households, businesses and economic activities that depend on consistent access to electricity.