Tanzania is moving to add nuclear power to its energy mix, with President Samia Suluhu Hassan confirming talks with Russia's Rosatom on small modular reactors. The push follows the commissioning of the 2,115 MW Julius Nyerere Hydropower Plant, which pushed hydro above 60% of national capacity. Total capacity is now 4,646 MW against peak demand of about 2,271 MW. The government sees SMRs as a stable, carbon-free baseload source to cover projected demand of 8,000 MW by 2030 and 70,000 MW by 2050. Officials argue the shift is necessary because hydro is increasingly vulnerable to climate-driven drought. The article also notes natural gas has supplied over 40% of grid capacity in the past, and that Tanzania is considering electricity exports. The piece is useful for anyone tracking African grid expansion, nuclear procurement, or how clean baseload fits into national climate strategy. It leaves open questions on cost, financing, and fuel supply, especially with Rosatom as the potential vendor.
