This archive report was first published on 26 July 2019.
Published on July 26, 2019, by the BBC, the construction of Tanzania's $3bn hydroelectric power project has begun, sparking environmental concerns among activists.
The Stiegler's Gorge hydroelectric dam, expected to produce 5,920GWh of power annually, is more than twice the country's current capacity and consumption.
Located in the middle of the Selous Game Reserve, a World Heritage Site and main elephant sanctuary in the country, the dam has raised concerns about the destruction of wildlife habitats.
The project, first conceived by Tanzania's founding President Julius Nyerere, was initially abandoned due to financial and environmental concerns.
However, President Magufuli's government has been keen on industrial advancements, viewing the project as a way to alleviate constant power outages hampering the manufacturing sector.
The massive project is part of Tanzania's power master plan, which envisions Stiegler's Gorge helping interconnect the grids of Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, and Zambia.
The dam will be the fourth largest in Africa and ninth in the world, with a construction cost of $3bn.
