CHAPTER NINE - Dodoma rural energy project, Tanzania

Abstract

This chapter focuses on energy systems suitable for rural areas of Tanzania. The Dodoma Rural Energy Project was established by the Tanzania National Scientific Research Council to look into aspects of energy systems suitable for rural areas. Dodoma is a region in the central part of the country, which has a semiarid climate and, therefore, acute problems of energy supply because of lack of fuel wood. This condition called for immediate action and made it an ideal site for testing renewable energy technologies. In the Dodoma region, biogas technology is one of the alternative energy technologies. The technology is further justified by a large animal population and because villagers in this region are willing to handle cow dung. As a result of this research, four biogas plants were constructed in the project villages on a demonstration-cum-research basis. Dissemination of this technology took place alongside the research work but without involving the standard promotion media. The principal recipients of this technology both within the project area and countrywide are public and private institutions, where the end uses of the biogas are still mainly limited to cooking and lighting. A limiting factor common to both biogas technology and improved charcoal stoves is that the thick metal sheets required for fabrication of gas holders are not easily available, are too expensive, and involve high transport costs.