Tanzania Power Grid Collapses as “explosion” at Songas plant reported

Tanzania’s national power grid has reportedly collapsed resulting into a massive power outage all across the nation, from the Mainland to the Islands of Zanzibar. From Arusha which is the nation’s top tourist attraction area to the middle of the country power outage has been reported.

Although the Tanzanian people have been used to have power rationing over the past few weeks this outage tonight seems to be different from the regular power shedding which Tanzanians are accustomed to. The power outage has reached almost all parts of the nation at the same time.

The power outage came at the end of the Kagame Cup Finals which  were being broadcasted worldwide by Super Stations television channel. It was during the crowning of the new Champion-Young Africans Club against their rivals Simba Sports Club – when the power went out causing cries of disappointment, anger and disbelief. The back up generators at the modern National Stadium which cost over $50M were not prepared for such a contingency. The handover of the cup to the new champ was done using flash lights and car lights including those of emergency vehicles.

Various sources speaking to FikraPevu late this evening have said the power outage at the National Statium was caused by the usual power shedding going on in the country while the massive power outage experienced across the country almost an hour after the power shedding at the national stadium was caused by what has been referred as “the generator explosion” at Ubungo power plant. The cause of the explosion  is not yet known nor the extent of the damage. So far FP has not been able to ascertain the cause of the national power outage.

Some sources have confirmed to FP that the problem which caused the nationwide power outage has been fixed and electricity will be restored shortly.

(This is an ongoing report, stay tuned)