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.
Wizara ya Nishati na Madini inapenda kutoa ufafanuzi wa miradi ya Gesi Asilia ambayo itatekelezwa kwa kushirikiana na wawekezaji katika Sekta ndogo ya Gesi Asilia na kueleza manufaa makubwa yatakayopatikana kwa wananchi wote wa Tanzania wakiwemo wale wa Mikoa ya Mtwara na Lindi.
The Government of Tanzania has set aside funds for the operation of the REA during the Financial Year 2012/13. It is intended that part of the funds will be used to cover eligible payments under the contract for Supply and Installation of Distribution Substations (11/33kV), Medium Voltage Lines, Transformers and Connection of Customers in Unelectrified District Headquarters and other Rural Areas in Tanzania on Turnkey Basis.
The Government of the United Republic of Tanzania has set aside funds for the operations of the Rural Energy Agency during the Financial Year 2012/2013. The Rural Energy Agency is now issuing the General Procurement Notice in accordance with the requirements of Public Procurement Act 2004 and its Regulations, 2005 for the purpose of informing Bidders, Suppliers, Service Providers and General Public on tender opportunities during Financial Year 2012/2013 as shown here.
The Government of Tanzania has received funds from the World Bank under the TEDAP Off-grid Component. It is intended that part of the funds will be used to cover eligible payments in terms of Matching and Performance Grants for supply, installation and operation of solar PV, small Wind Turbines, hybrid systems, micro and mini-hydropower Plants to supply electricity to isolated rural areas in Mainland Tanzania.