DAR ES SALAAM, July 10 -- TANZANIAS state-owned energy company plans to connect more than 2,600 additional households to its natural gas network this financial year, accelerating the governments push to expand access to cleaner cooking fuel and reduce reliance on charcoal and firewood.

The expansion by the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC) is part of the countrys Clean Cooking Energy Strategy, which aims to increase the use of domestically produced natural gas while improving energy security and lowering emissions associated with biomass fuels.

TPDC will install more than 1,000 new household connections in Dar es Salaam, covering the neighbourhoods of Mikocheni, Sinza, Lugalo and Ubungo.

The programme also targets more ...