One of the transformers installed at Mtoni area. This unit receives power from the STATCOM device, stabilizes and regulate electricity within Zanzibar’s power grid.
In the bustling markets of Stone Town, where traders depend on refrigerators to keep food fresh, and in the sunlit resorts of Nungwi that host thousands of tourists each year, reliable electricity is more than a convenience — it’s a necessity.
For years, Zanzibar’s residents and investors have grappled with erratic power supply, frequent voltage fluctuations, and costly blackouts that disrupted homes and businesses alike.
But now, a major electricity infrastructure upgrade — crowned by the installation of a new Static Synchronous Compensator (STATCOM) system — is transforming the Isles’ energy landscape and fueling hopes of stable, affordable power for all.
A project built for reliability
The project, spearheaded by Novavis International Ltd, a U.S. based firm with Tanzanian ownership, was officially launched on October 1, 2025 by President Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi and carries an investment of 8.4 million dollars.
Installed at the Mtoni Substation in Unguja, the STATCOM system will regulate and stabilise voltage on the 100-megawatt main transmission line from mainland Tanzania, ensuring a consistent 132-kilovolt flow across Unguja and Pemba.
Dr. Mwinyi hailed the milestone as a “strategic investment in national progress,” noting that the system marks a turning point in Zanzibar’s journey toward energy security and economic independence.
“It is evident that the completion of this project will help address operational costs in our social and economic activities, especially for investors who sometimes had to rely on generators for long durations,” said Dr. Mwinyi during the launch event at Verde ground in Mtoni.
For years, overloaded underwater cables, aging infrastructure, and limited access in some areas had made power supply unreliable, particularly in rural Pemba and Unguja’s fast-growing southern districts. But with the installation of 55 concrete poles, 36 voltage regulators, 37 capacitor banks, and the STATCOM unit, that is now changing.
Powering growth and investment
According to Zanzibar Electricity Corporation (ZECO) Managing Director, Mr. Hajj Hajj, the new system has already stabilised voltage in both Unguja and Pemba, solving a long-standing technical challenge.
“Previously, electricity arriving from mainland Tanzania would drop to 114 kV instead of 132 kV, causing transformers to overwork and require frequent maintenance,” he said. “Now, with the situation stabilised, those costs have decreased, and funds have been saved.”
ZECO data shows voltage stabilisation equipment has been installed in eight locations in Unguja and three in Pemba, while capacitors have been deployed in 26 sites in Unguja and five in Pemba.
“This has led to stable electricity for end users, encouraging many citizens to engage in electricity-dependent projects,” Mr. Hajj added.
A vision anchored in policy and planning
Beyond the STATCOM system, the government is pushing ahead with broader reforms under the Zanzibar Electricity Sector Transformation and Access (ZESTA) project, which includes new 132-kV transmission lines from Welezo to Makunduchi and Matemwe, and the construction of new substations to extend affordable electricity to more citizens.
According to President Mwinyi, these projects will lower household connection costs from Sh200,000 to Sh100,000 and ensure that even small islands like Kokota and Njau in Pemba benefit from renewable power solutions.
“The goal is to ensure that all Zanzibar residents receive electricity service of the required quality,” President Mwinyi affirmed.
The Principal Secretary for Water, Energy, and Minerals, Joseph Kilangi, said these developments reflect Zanzibar’s broader energy ambitions.
“The improvements have increased electricity supply from 112 MW to 132 MW,” he noted. “Investment is increasing daily, necessitating major upgrades in infrastructure to meet this growing demand.”
Investing in the future
To sustain the momentum, Zanzibar has launched a new Energy Policy (2025), aligned with Vision 2050 goals. The policy promotes a diverse energy mix — solar, wind, marine, gas, and even nuclear — while building resilience to climate change.
“By 2025, electricity demand in Unguja was expected to reach 136.4 MW, with 95 MW already in use,” said Mr. Kilangi. “In Pemba, demand is at 84 percent of capacity. These figures highlight the urgent need to expand and modernise the grid.”
To meet future needs, the government has secured financing to build an 18 MW solar farm and a 40 MW battery storage system in Mtoni, while also preparing a 270 MW underwater cable from the mainland — a tenfold capacity boost for Unguja and Pemba.
A 120-meter wind tower is also planned in Makunduchi to measure wind potential ahead of a 200 MW wind project.
“A country cannot be built by foreigners; it must be built by its own people,” said Eric Kasalika, the Tanzanian-born engineer behind the STATCOM project. “We, the diaspora, can play a big role in that.”
Kasalika, who founded Novavis International after decades working in the U.S. utility sector, said his goal was to bring global expertise home. “This project shows what happens when the diaspora is trusted to deliver” he said.
Toward a smart energy future
ZECO’s next step is to modernise Zanzibar’s entire distribution network into a Smart Grid, improving monitoring, efficiency, and customer service.
President Mwinyi has also launched the Zanzibar Power Master Plan 2025–2050, a comprehensive blueprint for clean energy expansion and private-sector participation through public-private partnerships (PPPs) and a new net metering system.
“Energy is the backbone of social and economic development,” President Mwinyi emphasised. “With robust collaboration between the public and private sectors, we can ensure reliable, sustainable, and affordable electricity for every Zanzibari.”
As the STATCOM hums steadily at Mtoni and new substations rise across the archipelago, Zanzibar’s transformation is becoming visible in every lit home, every humming workshop, and every resort freed from the noise of diesel generators.
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