Independent facts, figures and news on the 2,115 MW Julius Nyerere Hydropower Station on the Rufiji River.
2,115 MW
Installed capacity, from nine 235 MW units
34 bn m³
Reservoir storage behind the main dam
5,920 GWh
Expected electricity output per year
43.5%
Share of Tanzania’s grid electricity in 2025
Sources: TANESCO via The Citizen; Water Power Magazine; Financial Afrik. Full specifications
1960s
After independence, Julius Nyerere’s government first studies a major hydropower dam at Stiegler’s Gorge on the Rufiji.
2018
The contract to build the plant is awarded to Arab Contractors and Elsewedy Electric in December.
2019
Construction begins. In October the scheme is renamed in honour of Julius Nyerere, Tanzania’s founding president.
2024
The first generating unit feeds power into the national grid in February.
2026
All nine units are officially commissioned at an inauguration on 22 August.
4.6 GW
Tanzania’s total installed generation capacity, according to the Ministry of Energy
Before the station came online, generation shortfalls meant frequent power cuts. With peak demand at roughly 2.27 GW, the country now has more capacity than it uses at its busiest hour, and talks are under way to sell surplus power to neighbours including Kenya and Zambia.
The dam also regulates the Rufiji’s flow, reducing flood risk downstream and storing water through the dry season. Its location inside the Selous ecosystem has made it one of the most debated infrastructure projects in East Africa, and this site will cover that side of the story too.