The facility in Mulumo is one of 11 mini-grids to be commissioned on 10 different islands on Lake Victoria in June 2019, constituting the first roll-out phase of the "Micro Power Economy, Tanzania Roll-out" project co-funded by the EU. Over the last 12 months, Jumeme has constructed more than 180km of low and medium voltage distribution grids, electrifying 20 villages with a total population of more than 80,000 people and providing 24/7 electricity services based on solar-hybrid power systems to residential houses, schools, hospitals, businesses and local entrepreneurs.
The Ukerewe District Commissioner, Cornel Magembe honored the occasion stating that "the government of Tanzania is at the forefront of supporting rural electrification" via partners such as Jumeme.
Having witnessed Jumeme's work in his District of Ukerewe, he confirmed that "The citizens have embraced electricity and this has brought about a lot of positive change in their lives; the local health center has grown into a better facility with greater capacity; there is clean [ drinking ] water available; and a lot of business opportunities have arisen (...), in line with the government's initiative of industrializing Tanzania."
Jumeme aims at building and operating solar-hybrid mini-grids in remote settlements of Tanzania with a total budget of €16 million. The project is co-funded by the European Union Energy Facility for a total amount of €7.4 million. The Rural Energy Agency (REA), through its result-based financing scheme, has also provided grant funding to the project, whereas the shareholders of Jumeme have contributed with equity.
Having run a pilot system on Ukara island since 2016, Jumeme will now operate the 11 additional minigrids spread across Lake Victoria on the islands of Goziba, Kerebe, Kasenyi, Mulumo, Rukuba, Kibumba, Maisome, Mahaiga, and Irugwa. In parallel to the first roll out phase, the construction of an additional 11 mini-grids, located on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, is underway. These additional mini-grids are also co-financed by the European Union and will be finalized at the beginning of 2020, making Jumeme the energy service provider to more than 170,000 people.
