20101224
reuters

DAR ES SALAAM (Reuters) - Tanzania's state-run power utility said on Friday a shortage of natural gas supply to turbines has led to a 40 megawatt deficit on the national grid and forced it to ration power for up to 10 hours a day.

The Tanzania Electric Supply Company (TANESCO) said the latest power rationing was occasioned by repairs at a well in the Songo Songo natural gas field off the coast of Tanzania, which supplies power plants in Dar es Salaam.

"One of the five wells that are producing gas at the Songo Songo island has been shut down for routine maintenance. This has caused a shortage of natural gas supply to power stations in Dar es Salaam," Badra Masoud, TANESCO spokeswoman, told Reuters.

"There is a 40MW shortfall in the national power grid as a result of the decline in gas supplies. We expect the load shedding to continue until mid January."

Masoud said the power cuts would run from 8 a.m. local time (GMT) to 6 p.m. local time for domestic consumers and 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. for industrial users.

"We have been forced to start rationing power because we have no surplus or reserve electricity. All the power generated by TANESCO is used up in the national grid," she said.

"We will ensure sensitive areas such as hospitals and factories are not affected by the power rationing."

The country produces most of its electricity from hydro dams but generates close to 300 MW using natural gas from a deposit on Songo Songo.

Tanzania has energy demand close to 900 MW capacity, but produces less than 800 MW.

Acute power shortages in Tanzania have frequently resulted in rolling blackouts, which are undermining economic growth. Only 14 percent of its 40 million people are hooked to the grid, while demand grows by 10 to 15 percent annually.