Zanzibar Residents Cry Foul Over Frequent and Unannounced Power Outages
Residents and small-scale business owners in Zanzibar are experiencing significant challenges due to persistent and unpredictable power interruptions. These unscheduled blackouts are causing substantial economic losses, particularly for businesses dealing with perishable goods like fish, juices, and fruits.
The local government acknowledges the growing electricity demand, with officials revealing plans to introduce a new 220-megawatt power line to address the current infrastructure limitations. The existing transmission line, which currently supplies only 132 megawatts, is proving insufficient for the region’s expanding population and increasing number of electricity consumers.
Local residents like Habiba Salum from Mahonda have voiced frustration over the random power cuts, noting that they occur almost daily and often during nighttime hours. The unpredictable nature of these outages not only disrupts daily life but also raises safety concerns, with potential increases in criminal activities taking advantage of darkness.
Small business owners are bearing the brunt of these power interruptions. Khatabi Khamis, who runs a fish business, highlighted the devastating impact on perishable goods. “With these frequent power cuts, my fish often go bad, resulting in huge losses,” he explained.
The government is actively working to address these challenges. The Minister for Water, Energy, and Minerals assured residents that recent efforts have already reduced outage durations, with interruptions now lasting only a few minutes. Additionally, the administration is investing in infrastructure improvements, including the installation of power-boosting machines and reducing electricity connection fees.
Recent developments include lowering connection costs, with fees dropping from Sh464,000 to Sh200,000 for customers within a 30-metre range, and from Sh1.7 million to Sh600,000 for single pole connections.
While the situation remains challenging, the government remains committed to improving the region’s power infrastructure and meeting the growing electricity demands of Zanzibar’s residents.
