The City Electric: Infrastructure and Ingenuity in Postsocialist Tanzania

In the last 20 years, the power supply in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania's metropolis, has become less reliable while its importance has increased. The socialist-era energy company Tanesco is characterized by increased fees, aging infrastructure, and a sluggish bureaucracy. Some residents contemplate off-grid solutions, while others repair, extend, or tap into the state network with the assistance of freelance electricians or moonlighting utility employees. Michael Degani's book "The City Electric" explores how electricity and its piracy have become a key site for urban Tanzanians to enact, experience, and debate their social contract with the state.

Format: Hardback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 08 November 2022
Publisher: Duke University Press

Over the past two decades of neoliberal reform, the power supply in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania's bustling metropolis, has experienced a significant decline in reliability, despite the city's growing importance. While mobile phones, televisions, and refrigerators have become ubiquitous, the electricity required to power these devices is still supplied by the socialist-era energy company Tanesco, known for its exorbitant fees, aging infrastructure, and sluggish bureaucracy. While some residents consider off-grid solutions, others resort to repairing, extending, or tapping into the state network with the assistance of freelance electricians or moonlighting utility employees.

In his book, The City Electric: Michael Degani delves into how electricity and its piracy have become crucial sites for urban Tanzanians to enact, experience, and debate their social contract with the state. Moving from the politics of generation contracts to the street-level experience of blackouts and disconnection patrols, he reveals the logics of infrastructural modification and their effects on everyday life. As politicians, residents, electricians, and utility inspectors all redistribute flows of payment and power, they redefine the energy grid as both a technical system and an ongoing experiment in collective interdependence.

The reliance on Tanesco for electricity has led to increased fees and economic burdens for many residents. The company's outdated infrastructure, coupled with limited investment in maintenance and expansion, has resulted in frequent power outages and disruptions. This has had a significant impact on businesses, schools, and healthcare facilities, forcing them to rely on backup generators or alternative sources of power.

Despite the challenges posed by Tanesco, some residents have found innovative ways to cope with the unreliable power supply. Freelance electricians and utility employees have become a vital resource, offering their services to repair, extend, and tap into the state network. These individuals often work in precarious conditions, without proper safety equipment or training, and at a fraction of the cost of Tanesco's services.

However, the reliance on these informal workers also raises concerns about the quality and safety of the electricity being supplied. There have been reports of substandard wiring, faulty connections, and even electrical fires caused by inexperienced or unscrupulous electricians. This has led to calls for greater regulation and oversight of the industry, to ensure that residents receive safe and reliable power supply.

In addition to the economic and safety concerns, the unreliable power supply has also had social and political implications. The blackouts and disconnections have become a source of frustration and resentment for many residents, who feel that they are paying for electricity but not receiving the services they deserve. This has led to protests and demonstrations, as residents demand better infrastructure and more accountable government.

Politicians have also recognized the importance of reliable power supply in attracting investment and promoting economic growth. However, the challenges posed by Tanesco have hindered efforts to improve the energy sector. The government has attempted to privatize the energy industry, but these efforts have faced resistance from Tanesco and other stakeholders, who argue that the privatization will lead to increased costs and reduced access to electricity for the poor.

Despite these challenges, there are signs of hope for a better future in Dar es Salaam's power supply. The government has launched several initiatives aimed at improving the energy sector, including the construction of new power plants and the expansion of the electricity grid. These efforts are supported by international donors, including the World Bank and the African Development Bank, who recognize the importance of reliable power supply in promoting sustainable development and reducing poverty.

In conclusion, the unreliable power supply in Dar es Salaam has been a significant challenge for the city's residents and businesses over the past two decades of neoliberal reform. While off-grid solutions and informal workers have provided some relief, the need for a reliable and affordable energy supply remains urgent. The government's efforts to improve the energy sector are crucial in addressing these challenges and promoting sustainable development in the city. However, more needs to be done to ensure that all residents have access to safe and reliable electricity, regardless of their socioeconomic status.

Weight: 499g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781478016502