Tanzania Opens Bids Linked to Stiegler's Gorge Power Generation Project.

Tanzania has opened bids by companies seeking contracts to clear forests within the Selous ecosystem, a world heritage site, in preparation for the construction of the Stiegler's Gorge hydroelectric dam.

This signals another step in the implementation of the project that the government says will help solve the country's power shortage.

The project, when completed, is expected to add 2,100MW to the national grid, bringing + the total installed capacity to 3,651MW.

The Tanzania Forests Services (TFS) had invited bids for clearing 148,000 hectares of forestland.

The tender document seen by The Citizen shows that TFS is looking for eligible companies to buy trees with a total volume of about 3.5 million cubic metres in Rufiji district, distributed into six manageable blocks.

TFS chief executive, Prof Dos Santos Silayo, confirmed receiving the bids.

Energy Minister Medard Kalemani had said the $2 billion hydropower project, Tanzania's biggest, will be implemented from July this year.

The government identified the project to be implemented alongside the $215 million Kidunda Dam within Selous ecosystem. The project will be implemented in three years.

allafrica.com