Located on Tanzania’s southeastern coastline near the Mozambican border, Mtwara is an area rich in opportunity. With significant onshore and offshore natural gas reserves, it plays an important role in the country’s long-term economic strategy. However, until recently, electricity demand in the region was growing faster than available supply.

Unlike major urban centers, Mtwara is not connected to the national grid. Instead, it has relied on a small, isolated system powered by outdated reciprocating engines. To address these challenges, TANESCO, the state-owned utility, implemented an innovative approach: relocating two GE Vernova TM2500 aeroderivative gas turbines — mobile, aircraft-engine-derived power units — from other parts of the country.

“The flexibility of these turbines was critical to making the project work,” said Gilman Kasiga. “TANESCO was able to shift generation capacity to where it was needed most, helping stabilize electricity supply for communities and businesses that had experienced outages for years.”

One of the mobile TM2500 aeroderivative gas turbines relocated to Mtwara to provide reliable electricity in southeastern Tanzania. (Image credit: GE Vernova)

Speed and Adaptability

In recent years, pressure on Mtwara’s electricity system has increased significantly. The region is experiencing rapid population growth and hosts energy-intensive industries, including Tanzania’s largest cement plant. Its deepwater port has also developed into a key export hub, facilitating trade with international markets. Additionally, a planned $42 billion liquefied natural gas project is expected to further accelerate economic activity and electricity demand.

By 2022, improving power reliability in Mtwara became a priority for TANESCO. The utility faced a choice: wait years for new infrastructure or act immediately. In collaboration with GE Vernova, it identified a mobile gas turbine in Dar es Salaam that could be rapidly redeployed.

This relocation did not significantly impact Dar es Salaam, which is connected to Tanzania’s national grid with over 4,000 megawatts of installed capacity. The temporary reduction in generation was minimal and absorbed without major disruption. Designed as a modular, trailer-mounted system, the TM2500 turbine was built for mobility. After disassembly, it was transported by road and sea to Mtwara and reinstalled within a few months.

At the Mtwara II plant, TANESCO representative Inyanya Ndeya (left) speaks with Erastus Ndungu, senior sales manager at GE Vernova Gas Power. (Image credit: GE Vernova)

“The longest part of the process was actually waiting for transport,” Kasiga explained. “Without that delay, the relocation itself could have taken just four to five weeks. These turbines are modular — essentially unplug, move, and reconnect.”

The first relocation, completed three years ago, proved highly successful. As a result, a second turbine was moved to Mtwara last year. Together, the two units now provide approximately 40 megawatts of capacity, with built-in redundancy that ensures continued supply even during maintenance.

Skills Gained, Emissions Reduced

The project has delivered benefits beyond improved electricity reliability. It also strengthened local technical expertise. GE Vernova engineers worked closely with Power Associates Limited, which led the relocation and installation efforts.

According to Kasiga, the project created a lasting impact by enabling local teams to execute a complex, fast-track energy project to international standards. This experience has enhanced their capabilities and positioned them for more advanced projects in the future.

In addition, the newer turbine technology supports broader energy transition goals. Compared to older reciprocating engines, the TM2500 is more fuel-efficient and produces lower emissions per unit of electricity. Its dual-fuel capability — allowing operation on both gas and liquid fuels — also adds flexibility in situations where fuel supply may be constrained.

Resilience Amid Growing Demand

Ensuring this level of resilience is a key element of GE Vernova’s ongoing partnership with TANESCO. In Mtwara, the focus has now shifted from rapid deployment to long-term operation, including routine maintenance and targeted upgrades to keep pace with rising demand.

“Reliable electricity builds confidence — it encourages investment, business expansion, and improved services,” Kasiga said. “Stable power creates the foundation for both economic growth and social development, which is the ultimate goal of this project.”

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