(Ecofin Agency) - In Tanzania, the construction of Stiegler’s Gorge hydropower plant will start within three months. This was announced by Medard Kalemani (photo), the energy minister.

According to the official, the energy ministry is finalizing the process to choose the company which will conduct the construction work. He also revealed that a committee is being established to facilitate the project.

This dam (2,100 MW) will be built along the Rufiji River which crosses Selous Game Reserve. It will help the country double its electrical power which is currently estimated at 1,513 MW. According to the minister, work will last about 36 months and the plant should be commissioned by 2021.

Let’s recall that the implementation of this facility has been denounced by environmentalists who fear a negative impact on the park as the latter is one of tourism's mainstay and provides up to 20% of national GDP.

Gwladys Johnson Akinocho