1. Awards & Honors

2025 ENR Global Best Projects — Best Project, Water/Wastewater

The Julius Nyerere Hydropower Plant and Dam project received the Engineering News-Record (ENR) 2025 Global Best Projects — Best Project, Water/Wastewater award.

According to the ENR award page, the project owner is Tanzania Electric Supply Co. Ltd. (TANESCO), while the main contractor is the The Arab Contractors–Elsewedy Electric Joint Venture.

2025 Big 5 Egypt Impact Awards — Highly Commended, Partnership of the Year

The Arab Contractors–Elsewedy Electric Joint Venture responsible for project implementation received the Highly Commended distinction in the Partnership of the Year category at the 2025 Big 5 Egypt Impact Awards.

2. Project Background / Project Background

The Julius Nyerere Hydropower Plant / Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project (JNHPP) is located on the Rufiji River in southeastern Tanzania, approximately 350 km from Dar es Salaam.

The project has a total installed capacity of 2,115 MW, consisting of nine 235 MW vertical Francis turbine-generator units. Its estimated annual electricity generation is approximately 6,307 GWh.

According to TANESCO, the project is currently Tanzania’s largest single power generation facility. In addition to large-scale electricity generation, it also performs functions related to flood control and regulated environmental water flows.

On December 12, 2018, the Tanzania Electric Supply Company Limited (TANESCO), representing the Government of Tanzania, signed an Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Commissioning (EPCC) contract with a joint venture formed by Egypt’s The Arab Contractors and Elsewedy Electric.

The contract value was approximately USD 2.9 billion, financed by the Government of Tanzania. Construction officially commenced on June 15, 2019.

From the perspective of Tanzania’s national energy strategy, the project is intended to substantially expand national electricity generation capacity and provide a stronger energy foundation for industrial development, urban growth, household electricity use and broader economic activity.

TANESCO currently reports Tanzania’s total installed generation capacity at approximately 4,075 MW, of which the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Plant contributes 2,115 MW, making it one of the core power sources in the national electricity system.

3. Engineering Challenges

3.1 Super-Large RCC Main Dam with Complex Mass Concrete Construction Requirements

The project’s main dam adopts a Roller-Compacted Concrete (RCC) structure.

The dam crest is approximately 1,025 m long, while the latest public information from the contractor gives a dam height of approximately 131 m.

The overall project involved approximately:

3 million m³ of concrete

4 million m³ of excavation

7.5 million m³ of backfilling

Approximately 64,000 tonnes of reinforcing steel

Such a massive volume of concrete placed high requirements on raw material consistency, continuous concrete supply, placement temperature control, hydration heat management, temperature gradients and long-term crack resistance.

In its 2025 Global Best Projects coverage, ENR specifically highlighted the use of RCC technology to improve large-scale concrete placement efficiency, shorten construction cycles and improve temperature-control performance in mass concrete.

3.2 Complex River Diversion and Flood-Control Construction on the Rufiji River

The Julius Nyerere Hydropower Plant is located within the Rufiji River basin, an area subject to significant seasonal river flows and flood conditions.

Construction therefore required not only permanent water-retaining structures, but also a temporary river diversion and cofferdam system to create safe working conditions for the main dam and related hydraulic structures.

The project includes an approximately 660 m diversion tunnel as well as upstream and downstream cofferdams.

After completion, the dam itself also provides river regulation and flood-control functions.

3.3 Large-Scale Construction Logistics in a Remote Project Area

The project site is located approximately 350 km from Dar es Salaam in a relatively remote area.

During the early stages of construction, the site lacked a complete transport infrastructure system capable of supporting a mega hydropower project.

According to ENR, the site also featured highly variable rock conditions requiring extensive geotechnical analysis.

The project team constructed more than 20 roads and bridges to facilitate the transportation of personnel, heavy equipment and construction materials.

This meant that project implementation involved not only the hydropower plant itself, but also construction roads, logistics facilities, temporary works and long-term supply-chain organization.

3.4 Formation and Management of a Reservoir of Approximately 34 Billion m³

The project includes the main dam together with four saddle dams, forming a large reservoir with a reported capacity of approximately 34 billion m³.

During reservoir impoundment, comprehensive monitoring was required across the main dam, saddle dams, spillway structures, underground structures and turbine intake conditions.

Reservoir operation must also balance power generation, flood control and environmental flow requirements.

3.5 Complex Commissioning of Nine Large Hydropower Units and a 400 kV Power System

The power station is equipped with nine 235 MW vertical Francis turbine-generator units, providing a total installed capacity of 2,115 MW.

The project also includes 400 kV substation and transmission facilities.

Each unit had to be integrated with the hydraulic system, electrical equipment, control and protection systems, and the national grid through staged testing and commissioning.

From the first generating unit to the final synchronization of all nine units with the national grid, the project underwent more than a year of electromechanical installation, testing and commissioning.

3.6 Balancing Large-Scale Hydropower Development with Environmental Flow Management

The Julius Nyerere Hydropower Plant is located in the ecologically important Rufiji River basin.

TANESCO explicitly includes regulated environmental water flows among the project’s operational objectives.

As a result, reservoir operation must consider not only electricity generation and flood control, but also the maintenance of necessary downstream flows through controlled water releases.

4. Houde Products Applied

For mega hydropower projects similar to the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Plant, Houde material solutions can be matched to key requirements including mass hydraulic concrete temperature control and workability, long-term crack resistance and seepage control, durability of dams and underground structures, and high-strength grouting for electromechanical equipment foundations.

For large RCC dams and hydraulic concrete structures requiring water reduction, retarding performance and construction stability, Houde Polycarboxylate High-Performance Water Reducer (Retarding Type) and Houde High-Performance Mineral Admixture can be applied to improve concrete workability, increase density and support long-term durability control.

For crack resistance and dimensional stability of hydraulic concrete, Houde Expansive Agent for Hydraulic Concrete can be applied.

For construction joints, movement joints and seepage-control requirements in hydraulic structures, Houde Polymer Waterstop can be used.

For high-strength grouting of turbine-generator units and large equipment foundations, Houde High-Strength Non-Shrink Grout can be applied.

5. Technical Solution

The Julius Nyerere Hydropower Plant consists of a large RCC main dam, saddle dams, reservoir, diversion and spillway systems, intake and water conveyance systems, powerhouse, nine large hydropower units and a 400 kV power transmission system, forming a complete large-scale hydropower complex.

5.1 Large-Scale Roller-Compacted Concrete Dam Technology

The main dam was constructed using Roller-Compacted Concrete (RCC) technology.

Compared with conventional mass concrete placement methods, RCC technology is suitable for rapid and continuous construction of large gravity dams and can improve construction efficiency through mechanized spreading and compaction.

ENR specifically noted that RCC technology helped improve large-volume concrete placement efficiency and supported shorter curing periods and better temperature control.

5.2 Main Dam + Four Saddle Dams Reservoir System

In addition to the main dam, the project includes four saddle dams, which together form the reservoir system.

The reservoir has a total capacity of approximately 34 billion m³.

It provides a stable water source for the 2,115 MW hydropower plant while also supporting river regulation and flood control.

5.3 Diversion, Spillway and Water-Control Systems

The project includes river diversion tunnels, temporary cofferdams and permanent spillway facilities.

The main spillway is equipped with seven radial gates, together with emergency spillway facilities.

These hydraulic structures support construction-stage river diversion, operational flood discharge and reservoir water-level control.

5.4 Three Water Conveyance Passages and a Large Powerhouse

The project includes three water conveyance passages that deliver reservoir water to the powerhouse.

The powerhouse accommodates nine large vertical Francis turbine-generator units and is supported by intake butterfly valves, generators, cooling systems, firefighting systems, ventilation and air-conditioning systems, as well as automated control and protection equipment.

5.5 400 kV Power Evacuation System

The Julius Nyerere Hydropower Plant includes 400 kV substations and transmission lines to deliver large-scale hydropower generation into Tanzania’s national grid.

As of 2026, Tanzania has continued strengthening related 400 kV backbone grid infrastructure to further improve the transmission of electricity from the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Plant to major national load centers.

5.6 Phased Commissioning of Nine Generating Units

The hydropower station followed a staged testing and grid-connection approach.

The first unit began generating electricity on February 22, 2024.

On March 28, 2025, all nine generating units completed commissioning and were synchronized with Tanzania’s national grid.

6. Project Outcomes

The Julius Nyerere Hydropower Plant has entered full operational status.

According to TANESCO, all nine generating units were successfully commissioned and synchronized with the national grid on March 28, 2025.

As of 2026, TANESCO lists the facility among Tanzania’s operational hydropower stations with a total installed capacity of 2,115 MW.

6.1 Completion of Tanzania’s Largest Single Power Generation Facility

With a total installed capacity of 2,115 MW, the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Plant is currently Tanzania’s largest power generation facility.

Once all nine 235 MW units entered operation, the project became one of the core large-scale power sources in Tanzania’s national electricity system.

6.2 Annual Generation Capacity of Approximately 6.3 Billion kWh

According to current TANESCO data, the project is expected to generate approximately 6,307 GWh per year, equivalent to about 6.307 billion kWh.

This large-scale clean electricity supply provides an important energy foundation for industrial development, urban construction, commercial activity and household consumption in Tanzania.

6.3 Strengthening National Energy Security and Industrial Development

TANESCO identifies the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Plant as a strategic facility supporting national energy security and socio-economic development.

With all units in operation, the project has significantly increased available generation capacity and provides stronger electricity support for manufacturing, mining, transport infrastructure, urbanization and other power-intensive sectors.

6.4 Improved Flood Control and Water Regulation on the Rufiji River

In addition to power generation, the project contributes to river regulation and flood control.

The large reservoir can regulate Rufiji River flows, store water during high-flow periods and provide greater flexibility for seasonal water management.

6.5 Large-Scale Local Employment and Skills Development

According to ENR’s 2025 project coverage, the construction workforce exceeded 12,000 people at peak construction.

The project team also provided training to approximately 5,000 Tanzanian personnel, making the project an important platform for local employment and engineering skills development.

6.6 Completion and Full Operational Status

In May 2026, contractor Arab Contractors stated that project construction had been completed, all major components were fully operational, and preparations were underway with the Tanzanian side for the project’s formal inauguration.

7. Key Figures

8. Value to China & Tanzania

8.1 Value to Tanzania

For Tanzania, the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Plant represents a major expansion of the national power system.

The project added 2,115 MW of installed generation capacity, making it the country’s largest power generation facility and providing a stronger electricity foundation for industrialization, urbanization and economic growth.

Second, the project provides large-scale renewable electricity.

With an estimated annual generation of approximately 6,307 GWh, the hydropower plant can supply electricity to industrial enterprises, urban infrastructure, commercial users and households through the national grid.

Third, the project provides flood-control and water-regulation benefits.

The approximately 34 billion m³ reservoir provides greater seasonal flow-regulation capability on the Rufiji River while also supporting flood management and controlled environmental flows.

Fourth, the project generated significant employment and skills-development benefits.

The construction workforce exceeded 12,000 people at peak, while approximately 5,000 Tanzanian personnel received training, making the project an important platform for local engineering workforce development.

8.2 Value to International Engineering Cooperation

The Julius Nyerere Hydropower Plant was financed by the Government of Tanzania, with TANESCO serving as the project owner and the Egyptian joint venture of The Arab Contractors and Elsewedy Electric responsible for major engineering implementation.

It is a representative example of large-scale infrastructure cooperation among African countries.

The project integrates a large RCC dam, reservoir, saddle dams, underground and water conveyance structures, nine large generating units, 400 kV power transmission and complex project logistics, demonstrating comprehensive implementation capabilities across civil works, hydropower engineering and electromechanical system integration.

8.3 Value to China and Houde

The Julius Nyerere Hydropower Plant is not a Chinese-contracted project, so its direct relevance to Chinese overseas engineering differs from hydropower projects constructed by Chinese contractors.

However, from the perspective of international market research and engineering material solution development for Chinese suppliers, the project provides strong technical reference value.

The project features a 2,115 MW installed capacity, approximately 3 million m³ of concrete, a kilometer-scale RCC dam, a super-large reservoir, mass concrete temperature control, hydraulic seepage control, long-term durability and large equipment foundation grouting.

For comparable international hydropower projects, Houde can develop systematic material solutions around Polycarboxylate High-Performance Water Reducer (Retarding Type), High-Performance Mineral Admixture, Expansive Agent for Hydraulic Concrete, Polymer Waterstop and High-Strength Non-Shrink Grout, supporting mass hydraulic concrete, crack resistance, seepage control and electromechanical installation requirements.

Tanzania Julius Nyerere Hydropower Plant Key Figures

Project Name: Julius Nyerere Hydropower Plant / Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project

Project Abbreviation: JNHPP

Country: Tanzania

River: Rufiji River

Distance from Dar es Salaam: Approx. 350 km

Project Type: Large hydropower plant

Total Installed Capacity: 2,115 MW

Unit Configuration: 9 × 235 MW vertical Francis turbine-generator units

Estimated Annual Generation: 6,307 GWh / approx. 6.307 billion kWh

Main Dam Type: Roller-Compacted Concrete Dam / RCC Dam

Main Dam Crest Length: Approx. 1,025 m

Main Dam Height: Approx. 131 m

Reservoir Capacity: Approx. 34 billion m³

Saddle Dams: 4

Total Concrete Volume: Approx. 3 million m³

Excavation Volume: Approx. 4 million m³

Backfill Volume: Approx. 7.5 million m³

Reinforcing Steel: Approx. 64,000 tonnes

Water Conveyance Passages: 3

Diversion Tunnel: Approx. 660 m

Power Evacuation Voltage: 400 kV

Contract Signing: December 12, 2018

Official Construction Start: June 15, 2019

First Unit Generation: February 22, 2024

All Nine Units Commissioned: March 28, 2025

Project Investment: Approx. USD 2.9 billion

Project Owner: Tanzania Electric Supply Company Limited (TANESCO)

Main Contractor: The Arab Contractors–Elsewedy Electric Joint Venture

Representative Honor: ENR 2025 Global Best Projects — Best Project, Water/Wastewater

Recommended Material Solutions: Polycarboxylate High-Performance Water Reducer (Retarding Type), High-Performance Mineral Admixture, Expansive Agent for Hydraulic Concrete, Polymer Waterstop, High-Strength Non-Shrink Grout

FAQ

Q1: What is the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Plant?

The Julius Nyerere Hydropower Plant / Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project (JNHPP) is a major hydropower project located on the Rufiji River in Tanzania, approximately 350 km from Dar es Salaam.

The project has a total installed capacity of 2,115 MW, making it Tanzania’s largest single power generation facility.

Q2: What is the installed capacity of the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Plant?

The hydropower plant has a total installed capacity of 2,115 MW, consisting of nine 235 MW vertical Francis turbine-generator units.

The project has an estimated annual generation capacity of approximately 6,307 GWh.

Q3: How large is the dam at the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Plant?

The project’s main dam is constructed using roller-compacted concrete.

The dam has a crest length of approximately 1,025 m and a height of approximately 131 m.

Together with four saddle dams, it forms a reservoir with a capacity of approximately 34 billion m³.

Q4: When did the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Plant begin generating electricity?

The first generating unit began producing electricity on February 22, 2024.

On March 28, 2025, all nine generating units completed commissioning and were synchronized with Tanzania’s national grid.

Q5: Has the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Plant been completed?

Yes.

TANESCO currently lists the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Plant among its operational hydropower facilities.

In May 2026, the main contractor further stated that construction had been completed and all project components were fully operational.

Q6: What were the main engineering challenges of the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Plant?

Major engineering challenges included super-large RCC dam construction, mass concrete temperature control, river diversion under Rufiji River flood conditions, logistics in a remote project area, impoundment of a very large reservoir, installation and commissioning of nine 235 MW generating units, and integration with a 400 kV power system.

Q7: What awards has the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Plant received?

The project received the ENR 2025 Global Best Projects — Best Project, Water/Wastewater award.

In addition, the Arab Contractors–Elsewedy Electric Joint Venture received a Highly Commended distinction in the Partnership of the Year category at the 2025 Big 5 Egypt Impact Awards.

Q8: What benefits does the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Plant provide?

The project added 2,115 MW of installed generation capacity and is expected to produce approximately 6,307 GWh of electricity annually, providing large-scale energy support for Tanzania’s industries, cities, businesses and households.

The project also supports flood control, water regulation and environmental flow management on the Rufiji River.

Q9: Who built the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Plant?

The project owner is Tanzania Electric Supply Company Limited (TANESCO).

The EPCC contract was undertaken by a joint venture formed by Egypt’s The Arab Contractors and Elsewedy Electric.

The contract was signed on December 12, 2018, and construction officially commenced on June 15, 2019.

Q10: Which Houde products are suitable for similar large hydropower projects?

For large hydropower projects similar to the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Plant, Houde can recommend Polycarboxylate High-Performance Water Reducer (Retarding Type), High-Performance Mineral Admixture, Expansive Agent for Hydraulic Concrete, Polymer Waterstop and High-Strength Non-Shrink Grout according to different structural and construction requirements.

Polycarboxylate high-performance water reducers and high-performance mineral admixtures are suitable for improving the workability and long-term durability of mass hydraulic concrete.

Expansive agents for hydraulic concrete are suitable for crack resistance and dimensional stability.

Polymer waterstops are suitable for seepage control at construction joints and movement joints.

High-strength non-shrink grout is suitable for turbine-generator units and large equipment foundation grouting.