Assessment of Causes of Land Oil Spills from TANESCO Power Distribution Systems Attributing to Environmental Degradation in Tanzania

Abstract

Mineral oil is essential for cooling and insulation of transformers from Tanzania Electric Supply Company (TANESCO) power distribution systems. However, oil spills from transformers pose environmental hazards such as human health effects on nervous systems, weakened immunity, cancer in digestive system, liver and skins. The aim of this study was to investigate the land oil spills from TANESCO power distribution systems attributing to environmental degradation at Karatu district in Arusha region, Tanzania. The study employed the method of quantitative data analysis. Data collection tools included observations, testing, measuring parameters, office records, structured interviews and questionnaire. Data analysis was performed on subsets of transformer external failure-related causes of land oil spills and the results illustrated the majority (74.07%), and internal causes revealed the minority (25.93%). Data analysis was performed on subsets of land surface-based effects of oil spills. The variables for defective transformers were fitted with distributions, while Xlstat software was used to generate result spreadsheets of defective transformer oil spills data based on the fitted distributions. Regression models were developed to validate future events based on historical oil spill events within the case study area. The general results indicated vandalism was leading in causing transformer oil spills by 60.46%. Effects of transformer oil spills include various harms to plants, soils and water. Human beings are also affected through respiratory, skin and digestive-related diseases. It is concluded that transformer oil spills degrade the environment by posing health risks to human beings and biodiversity. This study recommended the Ministry responsible to put policy in place for control of transformer mineral oil spills and provide education for capacity building to both TANESCO employees and the power consumers.

Keywords: TANESCO power distribution systems, land oil spills, environmental degradation

DOI: 10.7176/JEES/15-5-04

Publication date: October 31st 2025