Renewable energy school project in rural Tanzania
Our renewable energy school project in rural Tanzania aims to support the construction of a vocational environmental school in Sarame. Because connecting the site to the national power grid would have been very expensive, we faced a major challenge in ensuring reliable electricity for the project.
However, the expansion of our solar energy system in May 2025 was a great success, allowing the camp to run entirely on renewable power.
This international project addresses a vital local issue. Only 6% of schools provide basic hygiene services. Nearly half of all schools lack electricity. By expanding solar infrastructure, we reach our goals. We are building a sustainable school. We are powering a water purification system. This provides clean drinking water for everyone.
Energy Challenges for Rural Communities in Tanzania
The Magugu-Babati district, where the village of Sarame is located, is predominantly rural. As a result, many Tanzanian rural communities face limited access to electricity, basic infrastructure, and quality education. Thus, we at the Jabungu Foundation aim to address issues and improve local living conditions.
In Tanzania, nearly half of the population, especially in rural areas, lacks access to safe drinking water (UNICEF, 2014). Moreover, only 32% of the population uses adequate sanitation services (World Bank, 2020), increasing the risk of waterborne diseases.
Goals of our solar-powered school project
Indeed, these statistics demonstrate the urgent need for sustainable intervention. Consequently, we at Jabungu Foundation established a set clear objectives while developing the renewable energy project. With this in mind, our primary goals for the Sarame vocational school renewable energy project include:
- Minimizing our environmental footprint: By utilizing 100% solar energy, we significantly reduce carbon emissions and preserve the natural beauty of the Magugu-Babati district.
- Creating long-term community solutions: Furthermore, we focus on building systems that the local community can maintain independently, ensuring the project’s success for decades.
- Empowering vocational education: Specifically, the solar infrastructure will power modern workshops where students can learn high-demand trades like electrical engineering and digital literacy.
Considering this, we installed our solar energy system in 2024 with the support of EDF and expanded it with Synergy Renouvelable in 2025.
Why solar energy benefits our renewable energy school project in rural Tanzania
In fact, the solar panel project serves several important purposes:
- The first is to build a solar-powered school, enabling children to pursue their education without interruptions.
- Secondly, it leaves the path open to implement modern technology in the new digital age.
- Thirdly, this not only supports their learning environment but also their basic needs, since the kitchen will be powered completely by clean energy solutions.
- At last, it extends beyond the school site: we power a water purification system that makes water safe and drinkable. This allows residents to access drinking water more easily and helps reduce the spread of diseases caused by contaminated water.
Long-term impact of off-grid solar energy
Finally, solar energy projects address the growing inequality between rural and urban societies in Tanzania. According to government data, 65.3% of urban households have electricity, while only 16.9% of rural households are connected. This is a result of a lack of access to the national power grid, as its expansion is often too expensive.
Renewable energy solutions are particularly valuable here. They are installed locally and operate independently. The region enjoys over 10 hours of daily sunshine. Therefore, solar energy is the most reliable choice for this area.
Biodigester Sanitation Systems for our renewable energy school project in rural Tanzania
In addition, we plan to further expand the use of renewable energy by implementing toilets equipped with biodigester septic tanks. This sustainable sanitation system uses anaerobic digestion, a process in which microorganisms break down human waste into biomass. After that, the biofuel can then be used for cooking; additionally, the by-products can be used as natural fertilizer. Not only will the method allow us to cook, but it also helps us to grow food. Therefore, this process will contribute to our vision of a fully functioning and sustainable school.
Camille Collados
International Solidarity Project Officer at Jabungu Foundation
Having experienced living in a host family without renewable energy. The clean energy here at the camp is beneficial. Not only are power cuts very rare in comparison to my host family, but it also allows access to clean drinking water.
Conclusion
Our renewable energy project in rural Tanzania has proven to be a success, benefiting not only the local population through education but also providing safe drinking water to rural areas.
Moreover, this marks an important milestone in constructing a fully functioning and sustainable school in Sarame, Tanzania. By combining renewable energy, clean water solutions, and education, we are creating long-term opportunities for the next generation.
But this progress is only possible with continued support. If you want to contribute to sustainable development and help children gain access to education, you can support our work and be part of this mission. Donate here