10 islands of Ukerewe in Mwanza to benefit from Rex Solar installed energy

Rex Energy engineers installing solar panels in Ukerewe Islands

Over 20,000 households and 400 business  in the Lake Zone’s Ukerewe islands will this year begin enjoying solar powered energy that is set to ease daily life and unlock new economic opportunities.

Rex Energy, a solar company that has provided energy access government, private institutions, international organizations, residentials among others, has been undertaking the development of a solar mini grid designed to serve communities that have remained far beyond the reach of the national grid due to their remote island locations.

According to Rex Energy Managing Director Francis Kibhisa, project implementation commenced after the company won an innovation and business challenge under the Lighting  initiative, which promotes off-grid solar solutions across Sub-Saharan Africa.

“We have been working against time and across very challenging terrain to ensure this project is delivered within schedule and in line with the government’s commitment to expanding access to clean and affordable energy,” he says. “We are now at the final stages, and it is extremely rewarding to see that communities in these islands will finally begin to enjoy reliable power, just like other parts of the country. This is about restoring dignity, improving livelihoods, and opening up real opportunities for growth.”

Rex Energy Managing Director Francis Kibhisa

Rex Energy, a company with over 25 years of experience in delivering solar solutions across Tanzania and the region, secured the project under a competitive REA programme aimed at accelerating rural electrification through renewable energy. Since then, the company has steadily advanced works across multiple islands, navigating logistical constraints while ensuring quality and sustainability in every phase.

According to the Rex management, implementation of this project was structured in phases to allow for careful rollout and system stability. Residents in the islands of Gana, Kamasi, Bwiro and Bulub are expected to begin accessing power by the end of May 2026, while those in Kweru Kuu, Kweru Mto, Izinga, Zeru, Bushengere and Sizu will come on stream by December 2026 as final are completed.

“This project has been a journey of precision, patience and purpose,” Kibhisa explains. “We deliberately adopted a phased approach to ensure that each island receives a fully functional and reliable system. From generation to distribution, every element has been designed to meet the specific needs of these communities while guaranteeing long term sustainability.”

For many years, these islands have had no access to electricity due to their farness from the national grid, leaving residents to depend on costly and inefficient alternatives such as diesel generators and kerosene. This has significantly limited economic activity, constrained service delivery in schools and health facilities, and contributed to persistently high poverty levels driven by high energy costs and limited productivity.

The completion of this project is therefore expected to transform livelihoods across the islands. With access to reliable power, businesses will be able to operate longer hours, fishers will have the opportunity to invest in cold storage facilities, reduce postharvest losses and improve the quality of their catch, while households will transition to safer and cleaner energy use. Schools will extend learning hours, health centres will better preserve vaccines and operate essential equipment, and local enterprises will find new room to grow.

Mr Kibhisa notes that substantial investment has been committed to the project so far, covering all critical components required to deliver a complete and sustainable energy solution across all ten islands. These include the installation of solar power plants, battery storage systems, distribution networks, civil works, electric poles, smart metering systems, as well as environmental compliance processes with relevant authorities such as the National Environment Management Council.

Across both phases, all key activities, including feasibility studies, engineering design, installation and network distribution, have now been substantially completed, setting the stage for final commissioning and connection of users.

The islands, which are central to the Lake Zone’s fishing economy, are expected to leverage this development to enhance value addition, improve storage and processing, and access wider markets. Reliable energy is also expected to attract new investments into the islands, breaking a longstanding barrier that has discouraged investors due to the absence of dependable power infrastructure.

Beyond economic gains, the project aligns closely with the government’s broader policy direction on clean energy and rural electrification, which seeks to expand access to affordable, sustainable power while reducing reliance on traditional energy sources such as charcoal and diesel. By extending solar solutions to off grid communities, initiatives such as this are playing a critical role in advancing inclusive and environmentally responsible development.

Its portfolio includes projects implemented in partnership with organisations such as UNICEF and the Ministry of Health Tanzania, involving the installation of ultra-low freezers in Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar, as well as solar-powered vaccine refrigeration systems in selected public and private health facilities nationwide. The company has also supplied and installed solar power systems for Tanzania Revenue Authority offices across the country, alongside projects supporting schools, health facilities, and market centres.