Africa-Press – Tanzania. THE Arusha Technical College (ATC) is implementing Kikuletwa Renewable Energy Training and Research Center (KRETC), a project which is intended to produce market driven graduates, as well as produce 1.65 megawatt of electricity for local consumption.
ATC Acting Rector, Dr Yusuph Mhando said the five- year EASTRIP project is funded by the World Bank to the tune of 37.4bn/-.
He said the project also intends to bring together 16 regional flagship Vocational Education and Training (TVET) whereas, the college among others, have decided to set up a centre of excellence for renewable energy.
He said so far, the college has received 11.2bn/-which is 30 per cent of the total funding, which has enabled them to come up with the Kikuletwa Renewable Energy Training and Research Center (KRETC), a brainchild of the Arusha Technical College.
The project Chairman, Dr Erick Mgaya said the funding has radically expanded its training curricula, to cover the critical sector of the economy.
He said that the centre is dedicated to train artisans, technicians and engineers in the areas of hydropower, solar, wind and biomass energy resources.
“We want to develop market driven training programmes, modern training infrastructure and human resource capacity building in the centre for the purpose of closing the skills gap in the renewable energy and energy efficiency sub-sectors in Sub-Saharan Africa,” he said
Dr Mgaya said the project will also cater for other avenues like improving administration and skills of trainers, developing curriculum and consultancy services.
He further said that they will as well construct a hostel that will accommodate 1000 students, workers, residential houses and administration blocks.
Dr Mgaya said the project will produce 1.65 megawatt for their local consumption and extra will be sold to cover the running and operations cost.
