2008 Zanzibar power blackout
The 2008 Zanzibar Power blackout was a extensive power outage on Zanzibar, Tanzania.
During May and June 2008, Zanzibar suffered a period of almost one month without mains electricity due to a grid failure which left the entire island dependent on alternative methods of electricity generation (mainly diesel generators). Power failed on 21 May 2008 after a wide-area grid failure across the Tanzanian network was followed by a power surge which damaged the submarine interconnector cable that links the Tanzanian mainland and Zanzibar.[1][2]
The power was eventually restored on 19 June 2008, however concerns remain about the fragility of the island's transmission infrastructure, its near total dependence on the mainland for its electricity generation, and the capacity and condition of the ageing interconnector that links the mainland electricity network and the island grid.
Effects
Tourism in Zanzibar, the main income generating activity on the islands, was seriously disrupted by the outage.[3] Other important industries, including the Zanzibar Electric Company and independent small businesses were "severely hit" by the blackout.[4][5] The island's semi-autonomous government was criticized for its lack of preparedness and dependence on power from mainland Tanzania.[6]
References
- ^ Zanzibar without power for another 4 weeks - media Reuters, 5 June, 2008
- ^ Zanzibar without power for another 4 weeks - media Reuters, 5 June, 2008
- ^ Zanzibar without power for another 4 weeks - media Reuters, 5 June, 2008
- ^ Melting in Zanzibar's blackout BBC News, 30 May, 2008
- ^ Week-long blackout hurts Zanzibar BBC News, 28 May, 2008
- ^ Zanzibar without power for another 4 weeks - media Reuters, 5 June, 2008
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