Tanzania has officially started to build the 2,115 MW Rufiji hydropower plant at Stiegler's Gorge on the Rufiji River. The controversial hydropower project will be built by Arab Contractors Company and the El Sewedy Electric and construction is expected to be completed in 2022. Upon completion, the 2,115 MW project will be owned and operated by the domestic state-run power utility Tanzania Electric Supply Company (Tanesco). The government currently estimates the total construction costs at nearly US$3bn. Some studies, however, argue that costs may rise to US$9.8bn, taking into account potential cost overruns and external factors.
The project is highly controversial as it will be located in the Selous Game Reserve - a World Heritage site renowned for its animal populations. However, the Tanzanian National Environmental Management Council (NEMC) approved its construction in January 2019, considering that it would comply with all the relevant environmental protection measures and have no impact on the local wildlife.
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