A DEPUTY Minister of State in the Vice-President’s Office (Environment), Ms Ummy Mwalimu, has said that so long as sustainable energy is a priority, Tanzania will opt for a power source that is accessible and affordable to the majority of Tanzania.
Giving the country overview during the African high level conference on green economy at the Convention Centre here, she told the participants that due the fact that most people in rural communities do not have access to electricity Tanzania is working hard in a quest to find alternative power sources.
She outlined the key issues on energy efficiency which needs to be addressed under the green economy saying that switching from fuel to an alternative environmental friendly energy source such as natural gas is imperative.
She said that the government of Tanzania has started explorations for natural gas which, she said, will be a blessing in the renewable energy and green economy pursuit if found.
Moreover, she said in addressing green economy other sources of renewable energy such as solar power, wind power and geo-thermal power are also being used in various areas. She told the conference that Tanzania is encouraging on enhancement of power trading between neighbouring countries as well, especially in the framework of the East Africa Cooperation.
However, she admitted that although the government was trying to address the issues of renewable energy, challenges involving appropriate technology, capacity building and financing remain a major setback on the road down to the required goals.
She called upon the participants to see how best the green economy can address those challenges in a positive way. The two-day conference has brought together more than 30 ministers from Africa who are charting out how best the continent can deal with green economy.
