Gas pipeline opens new industrial energy market

DAR ES SALAAM: A 22-kilometre natural gas pipeline under construction in Dar es Salaam is set to connect more than 10 industries along the Kisemvule-Mbagala corridor, expanding access to gas and supporting the city’s growing industrial and transport energy needs.

The project, being developed by Tanzanian-owned energy company Rashal Energies Limited, is part of efforts to establish a wider gas distribution network serving industrial and transport customers.

Rashal Energies Chief Executive Officer Mr Farhiya Warsame said the project was designed to go beyond individual industrial connections and create a platform for expanding piped gas access to other customers.

“This is more than a pipeline project. It is the foundation for an integrated gas distribution network that can serve industry, transport and eventually households,” she said.

Industries connected to the pipeline will be able to use natural gas in boilers, furnaces, kilns and captive power generation, potentially reducing their reliance on diesel and heavy fuel oil.

Ms Warsame said piped gas could also reduce the need to transport liquid fuels by road while providing customers with a metered and potentially more reliable energy supply.

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The project comes as the government promotes greater domestic use of natural gas in industry, transport, households and power generation under its long-term development plans.

Construction began at the end of July this year and is scheduled for completion in January next year, she said.

The first phase includes a compressed natural gas (CNG) mother station at Mbagala, where pipeline gas will be compressed for vehicle fuelling and distribution to other stations.

A daughter station is planned at Vijibweni in Kigamboni and will be supplied through high-pressure mobile tube trailers. Five additional CNG stations are planned under the second phase.

Rashal Energies will also supply CNG to the DART centre at Mbagala, supporting the potential expansion of gas use in public transport.

The company said the project is being financed through Tanzanian private capital, with local contractors and technical teams involved in construction, surveying, engineering supervision and pressure testing.

Natural gas will be supplied by the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC), with the project implemented in coordination with TANROADS, TANESCO, DAWASA, TTCL and municipal authorities.

The pipeline also has potential for future expansion into residential areas as infrastructure and demand develop, according to Ms Warsame.

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