Tanzania is hoping to use its gas reserves to generate electricity and reduce its reliance on hydro-power in the wake of a serious national power crisis over the past few months, AllAfrica reported.

According to Felchesmi Mramba, managing director of the Tanzania Electric Supply Company (TANESCO), electricity generated from gas is reliable and will eventually reduce the cost of power in the country.

Tanzania has experienced incessant power shortages since its hydro-power plants were shut down due to low water levels in the dams.

The region’s second largest economy depends on hydro-electricity generation to supply more than 35% of its grid, but the falling water levels have seen this drop to below 20%, according to Hydroworld.com.