[1] The power station is located across the Great Ruaha River, in the village of Kilosa, in Morogoro Region, approximately 337 kilometres (209 mi), by road, southwest of Dar es Salaam, the commercial capital and largest city of Tanzania.

[2] This is about 5.5 kilometres (3 mi), by road, northeast of Kidatu, the nearest urban center.

Phase I was completed in 1975 starting with the construction of an earth-rock fill dam, a generating capacity of 2 x 51 MW, and 220 kV transmission line to Dar es Salaam via Morogoro.

Major works were computerizing the control and protection system, repair to turbines, replacement of runners on units 1 and 2, generators and water ways.

The work was carried out by engineers and technicians from the Croatian manufactures of the turbines, and personnel from Tanesco, the national electricity generation monopoly.