Scaling-up renewable energy in Africa: Tanzania

Introduction

In this edition of the Scaling-up renewable energy in Africa series of publications, we focus on the climate change investment policies and opportunities in Tanzania in the energy sector. This briefing is a high-level compilation of key policies and projects, based on publicly available sources, and is not intended to be comprehensive.

Key points on Tanzania

Tanzania has a population of more than 44,840,000, of which only 10 per cent has access to electricity.1 Per capita emissions are very low, at 0.1t CO2e per capita per year. The total forested area of Tanzania is 44 million hectares (roughly half the total land area), about 13 million of which is reserved forests. Forests are shrinking, and it is estimated that Tanzania loses about 300,000 to 400,000 hectares of forest per year.2 Biomass fuel accounts for more than 90 per cent of the total energy consumption, with the remainder being mainly petroleum and hydroelectricity. This energy supply and end use structure reflects Tanzania's low level of development.3 Agriculture has historically been the most important sector in the economy (representing more than 40 per cent of GDP and employing 80 per cent of the active workforce). While Tanzania is one of the poorest economies in the world, its current GDP growth is estimated at 6.5 per cent based increasingly on strong gold production and tourism.4 The main source of CO2 is land use and forestry, which account for 96 per cent of CO2 emissions.5 UNFCCC/Kyoto Protocol

Tanzania has implemented the UNFCCC and has been undertaking climate change studies (implemented by the Division of Environment under the Vice President's Office) since 1993. Within its Initial National Communication, which it presented in 2003, it recognised the need for greater awareness of climate change and stated that a comprehensive awareness programme was planned. It also stated that the main challenge facing it is a need to balance accelerated economic growth with a more efficient management of the environment and use of natural resources to ensure sustainability and address the climate change issue.

Tanzanian CDM Projects

There is currently only one CDM project registered in Tanzania6 which involves biogas extraction and usage for electricity generation. As Tanzania is a Least Developed Country, the CERs issued from CDM projects registered after 31 December 2012 will be eligible for compliance under the EU Emissions Trading Scheme.

Energy Policy

Tanzania's...

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