Energy is a critical input into any country's development process. It is a prerequisiternfor the proper functioning of almost all sectors of the economy , and a resource withoutrncontinuous supply of which human society cannot survive well. Therefore, elaborate plansrnand strategies need to be organized to develop sufficient energy supplies. On the otherrnhand , working out successful planning and strategies is knowledge based and require timelyrnand sufficient information. This study set out to investigate the information support services available torninstitutions related to energy resources development in Tanzania. Among the things whichrnthe study investigated include: the information flow pattern, information resource sharing,rnapplication of information Technology , the kind of services offered by information centres,rnand how the people engaged in energy development planning and decision making arernbenefited by these information centers.rnResults of the survey conducted among six information centers indicate that thernperformance of information services supporting energy development in the country is weak.rnThis dismal performance originates from among other things the ineffective informationrnflow pattern, lack of coordination of information centre related to energy development,rninadequacies in data collection, processing and dissemination, especially at the EnergyrnDevelopment Unit, low level of application of Information Technology (IT) in handling andrndissemination of information, inadequacy in trained information personnel, and absence ofrncomputer-based services.rnIn order to overcome the shortcomings mentioned above this study proposes thernestablishment of a Computer-Based Information Support System for Energy ResourcesrnDevelopment in Tanzania (CBISSERD), which would work on a LAN established at thernMinistry of Water, Energy and Minerals. Two types of prototype databases have beenrndeveloped. The first one is an integrated database called 'JORAM' which consists ofrnBibliographic Records , Profiles of Experts, Profiles of Projects, Profiles of Institutions andrnProfiles of Information Systems. The second type is a set of specialized databases namedrnT ASEC, ENERT and ENTAB. These prototype databases are expected to be a source ofrnvaluable information to help the process of energy development in Tanzania .rnAmong the recommendations made following this study, include: the immediaternestablishment of the National Information Policy on Information Systems and Services, thernestablishment of a National Information System to coordinate information institutions, forrnthe government to give reasonable attention to information as an important resource forrndevelopment, and improvement of IT application in the information sector in Tanzania.rnThese suggestions are expected to improve the information systems' capacity in supportingrnenergy resources development in Tanzania.