By Alfred Zacharia
Tanzania
plans to invest at least $570 million in two major geothermal power projects by
2030, aiming to diversify its energy mix and strengthen electricity supply, the
Tanzania Geothermal Development Company Limited (TGDC) said on Friday.
The
state-owned company, a subsidiary of national power utility TANESCO, will
oversee the development of the Ngozi Crater ($300 million) and Kiejo-Mbaka
($270 million) projects in the southern highlands, which are expected to
generate a combined 130 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy.
“The Ngozi
project will contribute 70MW and Kiejo-Mbaka 60MW to the national grid,” said
Eng. Shakiru Idrissa Kajugus, TGDC’s Director of Business Development, during
the 49th Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair (DITF).
“This is
part of our phased approach to unlocking more than 5,000MW of geothermal
potential in Tanzania,” he added.
The two
projects are part of five priority geothermal sites identified by TGDC. Others
include Songwe, Lohoi in Pwani Region, and Natron in Arusha Region.
Drilling
operations at Ngozi Crater, located about 20 kilometers south of Mbeya city,
are scheduled to begin this month.
“We are
starting with three geothermal wells, drilling to a depth of 1,500 meters to
reach temperatures of at least 250 degrees Celsius. Everything is ready for the
six-month drilling process,” said Kajugus.
The Ngozi
project, first initiated in 2015, has reached its final phase of
implementation.
Tanzania
has identified geothermal resources in at least 16 regions, encompassing around
50 potential sites.
Kajugus emphasized that geothermal power could play a key role in stabilizing electricity supply, reducing fossil fuel dependency, and contributing to broader socio-economic development.
“Geothermal
energy is not only reliable and cost-effective but also supports other
activities such as crop drying, greenhouse agriculture, poultry incubation,
tourism, and therapeutic services,” he noted.
The
projects will also contribute to the African Union’s goal of connecting 300
million people to electricity by 2030.
“Tanzania’s
130MW geothermal target is a clear commitment to that continental agenda,” he
added.
TGDC is receiving technical and financial support from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), which is helping build capacity and mobilize resources for geothermal development.
“JICA has been a key partner. Two of our
technicians are currently pursuing Master's degrees in geothermal energy in
Japan,” Kajugus said.
Tanzania’s
geothermal exploration dates back to the 1970s, when the Geological Survey of
Tanzania conducted initial studies along the East African Rift System. Further
surveys funded by the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) between
1976 and 1979 identified high- and low-temperature hot springs for potential
energy use.
With
growing energy demand driven by industrialization and population growth,
geothermal energy is emerging as a strategic pillar in Tanzania’s long-term
energy plan.