Mapping of small hydropower potential in Tanzania using geographic information system based approach

Although Tanzania is endowed with high hydropower potential, the access to reliable energy is limited. This study is aimed to map small hydropower potential in Tanzania using environmental variables data in GIS environment. The analysis was performed on a computer under ArcGIS and Surfer 11.0 softwares environments. About 40% of the sites are located inRuvuma, Njombe and Iringa regions, characterized by steep slopes and rainfall throughout the year. Ten (10) regions do not feature any potential sites. The estimated hydropower potential and number of sites presented per basin wide are: The Lake Tanganyika (47), Rufiji (40),Northern Lakes (26), Pangani (25), Lake Rukwa (5), Lake Nyasa (15), Ruvuma (15), Wami/Ruvu (14) and Lake Victoria (3) which make a total of 190 sites, featuring a total power potential of 88.66 MW, 80.73 MW, 48.94MW, 43.43MW, 35.2MW, 28.8MW, 26.9MW, 22.77MW and 17.35MW respectively.The total estimated power potential is about 400 MW with corresponding annual energy of 3,441 GWh. The study reveals therefore, it is worth to invest in Lake Tanganyika, Rufiji, Northern Lakes and Pangani basins for SHP development since they feature the highest hydropower potential with favorable topography, high flow season, adequate power demand and supply balance. The study recommends that, the government and other energy stakeholders should engage themselves into small hydropower production particularly in the basins of high hydropower potential, for the extension of electricity coverage in both rural and urban areas since Tanzania still has a very large hydropower potential which is not utilized.