At least 75% of Tanzania 's population will have access to electricity by 2033 if there is greater innovation and financial investment in the sector, The Guardian newspaper reports Friday citing projections by the Energy and Minerals Ministry.

Bashir Mrindoko, director of Energy and Petroleum in the Ministry, said currently only a 14% of the country's population has the access to power supply, the Tanzania daily said.

He admitted that Tanzania could only become a more competitive player in business in the region and attract a bigger number of strategic investors if it was assured of more reliable, efficient and affordable supply of electricity.

Mrindoko revealed that a target of a yearly 100,000 new household connection has been set but the highest number of new connections achieved so far in one year is 60,000.

"With the country's annual population growth standing at 2.8%, making 100,000 new connections per annum would mean only 21% electrification by 2030," the daily quoted Mrindoko as saying, adding that achieving the 2033 goal would require an annual 485,000 connections from this year.

Mrindoko said it will require of an estimated $20 billion.

He said the Electricity Act of 2008 has opened the doors even to private sector players to invest in generating and supplying power so as to make it more readily available instead of continuing to rely on the giant but massively overwhelmed state-owned Tanzania Electric Supply Company.

Mrindoko recommended that the country's future investment in the energy sector focus on an array of renewable and other sources leading to income generating opportunities and faster access to communications and other enabling services.

"While energy conservation and efficiency is crucial in cutting down energy wastage, renewable sources of energy may be more cost-effective and reliable options especially in rural areas," he said.

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