Njimba Nsalilwe
JF-Expert Member
- Mar 23, 2008
- 252
- 3
Tanesco wants Dowans turbines
CHARLES KIZIGHA
Daily News; Sunday,October 12, 2008 @20:10
Tanzania Electric Supply Company Limited (Tanesco) has asked the government to procure idle gas turbines owned by Messrs Dowans, in the light of non-existence reserve power supply to cope with rising demand.
The required minimum emergency power reserve when plants develop hitches is between 15 and 20 per cent, which is 136 mw for the current demand of 680 mw. But the demand is expected to reach 780 mw early next year.
The states power utility firm last week wrote a letter to the ministry of energy and minerals, asking for permission to take part in the procurement process of the 35 mw gas turbine laying idle at Ubungo in Dar es Salaam.
Tanesco which has expressed fear over load shedding caused by the absence of power reserve for emergency in the country, has also asked clearance from the same ministry to engage an expert to evaluate the almost new Messrs Dowans 35 mw gas turbine.
Dowans whose contract was cancelled last August, has two sets of gas turbine with total capacity of 100 mw. [COLOR="blue[/U][/COLOR]"]One of 65 mw said to be second hand and that of 35 mw is reported to be new which Tanescos board is in favour of.
The Tanesco management and its board are desperately looking for more sources of power from Independent Power Projects (IPPs) for reserve purpose, in case of unforeseen eventualities as is the case at present.
When contacted for comment as to whether the company was in the process of selling or leasing the generators, sources close to Dowans said: the company is here to do business.The contract has been terminated. Business has to go on. There are several business options to put the plant in use.
If Tanesco comes up with a good offer we will consider it. Sources close to Tanesco explained that total maximum capacity of all hydro and thermal plants connected to the national grid is 837 mw, while the national current demand is 680 mw and by early next year it would reach 780 mw.
So, maximum production of 837 mw minus the current demand of 680 mw meaning a surplus of 157 mw and for next year it would be 57 mw. Since the current production fluctuates between 520 mw and 540 mw because of a number of reasons, there is a significant deficit hence Tanescos board and management look for extra IPPs.
Current deficit is caused by halting of two Songas gas turbines with combined capacity of 70 mw and low electricity production at hydro plants because of unpredictable rains. The following are the names of the plants plus current production with installed capacities in brackets: Kidatu 150 mw (200), Kihansi ranges between 80 and 34 mw (180), Mtera 70 mw (80), Pangani between 25 and 20 mw (68).
The others are Nyumba ya Mungu 3.5 mw (8), Hale 9 mw (21), Wartsiler 70 mw (100), Aggreko which winds up business next month, 40 mw (40), Songas 110mw (180). The Minister for Energy and Minerals, Mr William Ngeleja nor the ministrys Permanent Secretary, Mr Arthur Mwakapugi, was available for comment.
Last month, the public experienced five days of load shedding when Songas halted three gas turbines, with a capacity of 106 mw for technical reasons. Another 60 mw deficit followed last week, when Tanescos current transformer and one of the Aggrekos 20 mw turbine developed snags.
Songas last week received two gas turbines to replace its two defective ones and were being installed at its site in Ubungo. They are expected to be commissioned at the end of this month. The new electricity law prohibits the existing IPPs from operating for five years after expiry of their licence. Aggrekos licence will expire next month and therefore 40 mw would be off the national grid from that date.
My queries to JF members!
Why Dowans' turbines are still at TANESCO's premises while the contract terminated in August 08?
How much do they pay to TANESCO for continuing keeping their turbines there?
After the termination of contract who is insuring the turbines? In case of accident who will be responsible? TANESCO or DOWANS? Under which contract?
Read this extract "When contacted for comment as to whether the company was in the process of selling or leasing the generators, sources close to Dowans said: the company is here to do business.The contract has been terminated. Business has to go on.
What do these two statement meant? If business continues is the contract terminated?
Let us face it, between TANESCO and DOWINS who is in strong position?
This article has left me with many questions than answers.
If they want to procure another turbines why only from DOWANS and not from other sources? Something fishy here.
Njimba
CHARLES KIZIGHA
Daily News; Sunday,October 12, 2008 @20:10
Tanzania Electric Supply Company Limited (Tanesco) has asked the government to procure idle gas turbines owned by Messrs Dowans, in the light of non-existence reserve power supply to cope with rising demand.
The required minimum emergency power reserve when plants develop hitches is between 15 and 20 per cent, which is 136 mw for the current demand of 680 mw. But the demand is expected to reach 780 mw early next year.
The states power utility firm last week wrote a letter to the ministry of energy and minerals, asking for permission to take part in the procurement process of the 35 mw gas turbine laying idle at Ubungo in Dar es Salaam.
Tanesco which has expressed fear over load shedding caused by the absence of power reserve for emergency in the country, has also asked clearance from the same ministry to engage an expert to evaluate the almost new Messrs Dowans 35 mw gas turbine.
Dowans whose contract was cancelled last August, has two sets of gas turbine with total capacity of 100 mw. [COLOR="blue[/U][/COLOR]"]One of 65 mw said to be second hand and that of 35 mw is reported to be new which Tanescos board is in favour of.
The Tanesco management and its board are desperately looking for more sources of power from Independent Power Projects (IPPs) for reserve purpose, in case of unforeseen eventualities as is the case at present.
When contacted for comment as to whether the company was in the process of selling or leasing the generators, sources close to Dowans said: the company is here to do business.The contract has been terminated. Business has to go on. There are several business options to put the plant in use.
If Tanesco comes up with a good offer we will consider it. Sources close to Tanesco explained that total maximum capacity of all hydro and thermal plants connected to the national grid is 837 mw, while the national current demand is 680 mw and by early next year it would reach 780 mw.
So, maximum production of 837 mw minus the current demand of 680 mw meaning a surplus of 157 mw and for next year it would be 57 mw. Since the current production fluctuates between 520 mw and 540 mw because of a number of reasons, there is a significant deficit hence Tanescos board and management look for extra IPPs.
Current deficit is caused by halting of two Songas gas turbines with combined capacity of 70 mw and low electricity production at hydro plants because of unpredictable rains. The following are the names of the plants plus current production with installed capacities in brackets: Kidatu 150 mw (200), Kihansi ranges between 80 and 34 mw (180), Mtera 70 mw (80), Pangani between 25 and 20 mw (68).
The others are Nyumba ya Mungu 3.5 mw (8), Hale 9 mw (21), Wartsiler 70 mw (100), Aggreko which winds up business next month, 40 mw (40), Songas 110mw (180). The Minister for Energy and Minerals, Mr William Ngeleja nor the ministrys Permanent Secretary, Mr Arthur Mwakapugi, was available for comment.
Last month, the public experienced five days of load shedding when Songas halted three gas turbines, with a capacity of 106 mw for technical reasons. Another 60 mw deficit followed last week, when Tanescos current transformer and one of the Aggrekos 20 mw turbine developed snags.
Songas last week received two gas turbines to replace its two defective ones and were being installed at its site in Ubungo. They are expected to be commissioned at the end of this month. The new electricity law prohibits the existing IPPs from operating for five years after expiry of their licence. Aggrekos licence will expire next month and therefore 40 mw would be off the national grid from that date.
My queries to JF members!
Why Dowans' turbines are still at TANESCO's premises while the contract terminated in August 08?
How much do they pay to TANESCO for continuing keeping their turbines there?
After the termination of contract who is insuring the turbines? In case of accident who will be responsible? TANESCO or DOWANS? Under which contract?
Read this extract "When contacted for comment as to whether the company was in the process of selling or leasing the generators, sources close to Dowans said: the company is here to do business.The contract has been terminated. Business has to go on.
What do these two statement meant? If business continues is the contract terminated?
Let us face it, between TANESCO and DOWINS who is in strong position?
This article has left me with many questions than answers.
If they want to procure another turbines why only from DOWANS and not from other sources? Something fishy here.
Njimba