Waziri wa Nishati na Madini, Mhe. Profesa Sospeter Muhongo (Mbunge), anawaalika wadau wote wa Sekta ya Nishati na Madini kote nchini kwenye kongamano la wazi litakalofanyika siku ya Jumatano Julai 3, 2013 kwenye Ukumbi wa Mlimani City, Mwenge Jijini Dar es Salaam, kuanzia saa 3.00 asubuhi hadi saa 11.00 jioni.

Hotuba ya Waziri wa Nishati na Madini Mhe. Prof. Sospeter M. Muhongo (Mb.), akiwasilisha Bungeni makadirio ya mapato na matumizi ya wizara yake kwa mwaka 2013/14.

Orodha miradi ya awamu ya pili ya mradi kabambe wa kusambaza umeme vijijini ambayo inategemewa kupata ufadhili wa mfuko wa nishati vijijini kwa mwaka wa fedha 2013/14.

Following the formulation of the National Energy Policy in 2003, and the enactment of the Rural Energy Act in 2005, the Rural Energy Board (REB), Rural Energy Agency (REA) and Rural Energy Fund (REF) were established in 2007. REA is the executive body and Secretariat to the REB. The Fund is the mechanism by which the Board shall fulfill its mandate to provide grants and technical support to projects that are developed by private and public entities, co-operatives, and local community organisations.

Gesi asilia iligunduliwa kwa mara ya kwanza hapa nchini Mwaka 1974 kwenye Kisiwa cha Songo Songo, Mkoani Lindi. Ugunduzi mwingine umefanyiaka katika maeneo ya Mtwara Vijijini (Mnazi Bay, 1982 na Ntorya, 2012), Mkuranga (Pwani, 2007) na Kiliwani (Lindi, 2008). Kiasi cha gesi asilia iliyogunduliwa katika maeneo haya inakadiriwa kuwa futi za ujazo trilioni 8. Katika kipindi cha miaka mitatu iliyopita, kumekuwa na kasi kubwa ya utafutaji mafuta na gesi asilia uliojikita zaidi kwenye maji ya kina kirefu cha bahari. Kiasi cha gesi asilia iliyogunduliwa katika kina kirefu cha maji ni takribani futi za ujazo trilioni 33.7. Jumla ya gesi asilia iliyogunduliwa nchi kavu na baharini inafikia takribani futi za ujazo trilioni 41.7.

Serikali imesema ipo tayari kushirikiana na Ujerumani katika kuzalisha umeme vijijini kwa kutumia nishati mbadala hususan upepo na jua. Hayo yalisemwa na Waziri wa Nishati na Madini, Mhe.Profesa Sospeter Muhongo alipokutana na Ujumbe wa Wabunge kutoka Ujerumani.

The Government of Tanzania through the Ministry of Energy and Minerals and its energy related institutions, assisted by the Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) has prepared a draft Investment Plan (IP) which will be used as a proposal to source funds from Scaling Up Renewable Energy Program (SREP) that will enable Tanzania to move towards low gas emission developments.

Serikali ya Tanzania imekamilisha makubaliano ya fedha za msaada wa Krona milioni 700, sawa na shilingi bilioni 200 za Tanzania, kutoka Serikali ya Norway, kwa ajili ya kupeleka umeme vijijini. Waziri wa Nishati na Madini, Prof. Sospeter Muhongo alisaini mkataba wenye makubaliano hayo, Aprili 9, 2013 Mjini Oslo Norway akiiwakilisha Serikali ya Tanzania, ambapo Serikali ya Norway iliwakilishwa na Waziri wake wa Ushirikiano wa Maendeleo ya Kimataifa, Bw. Heikki Holmas.