VP calls for geothermal focus
DAR ES SALAAM: THE Vice-President Dr Philip Mpango, has said Tanzania is ready for investment in the geothermal sector, inviting investors to collaborate with the government to exploit the abundant eco-friendly source available in various regions of the country.
Dr Mpango made the call during the opening of the 10th African Rift Geothermal Conference at the Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre (JNICC) in Dar es Salaam yesterday.
He said Tanzania is committed at increasing power generation capacity to 5000 Megawatts (MW) by 2030 upon full exploitation of renewable source of energy including solar, wind and geothermal. He said the ambitious commitment aims at further strengthening the country’s energy security by diversifying the energy mix.
“We are ready for investment in the geothermal sector, boasting with peace and stability, attractive investment environment, political stability and strong policies under the structural reforms driven by President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan’s “4R” philosophy, which includes Reform, Reconstruction, Reconciliation and Resilience,” he said.
He added, “The government is decided to diversify the energy mix specifically targeting to increase generation from renewable sources including wind, solar and geothermal. The target is to increase the generation capacity to over 5000 Megawatts by 2030.”
Dr Mpango said such target is achievable by considering the considerable geothermal energy available alone in five major sites including Songwe and Ngozi which collectively have promised about over 5000 MW generation upon fully exploitation, further adding inputs to the National Grid.
Currently, he said Tanzania energy installed capacity is 2,800 MW of which hydropower accounts for 54.2 per cent, gas 42.2 per cent and fossil fuels forms 3.2 per cent.
He said geothermal energy is the clear source of renewable energy and the eco-friendly which can support the country efforts in reducing carbon emission and protecting environment while beefing up power generation.
In that regard, he said the government in 2014 established the Tanzania Geothermal Development Company (TGDC) as the main body mandated to accelerating exploitation of geothermal by conducting exploration in the country.
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He said recently, the TGDC has completed initial explorations in the five sites along the rift valley.
He said TGDC has started drilling one of the sites in Ngozi at the western arm of the Rift Valley to confirm availability.
Also, he said surface explorations have been undertaken at various geothermal sites — Natron, Kiejo-Mbaka and Luoi.
He welcomed investors in Tanzania for partnership with the government in exploiting potential geothermal energy in key five sites including Ngozi which has potential of generating 70 MW, Kyejo-Mbaka 60MW, Songwe between 5 to 35MW, Natron 60MW and Luhoi 5MW.
He said geothermal energy will complement hydropower which sometime can fail to yield desired electricity due to shortage rainfall culminated by climate change effects especially drought.
Highlighting the conference theme dubbed “Accelerating the Development of Geothermal Resources in Africa for a Just Transition, Carbon Markets and Net Zero Emissions,” Dr Mpango urged Africa countries to forge partnerships and collaboration in undertaking exploitation by considering the fact that geothermal energy is capital intensive power source.
He suggested for regional exploration programme, to enhance inclusive transition to renewable energy and the green economy at large.
The VP said working in isolation undermines the continent’s countries realising their fullest potential from leveraging geothermal energy.
He said Tanzania will keep on learning from Kenya, which is among the most advanced countries in geothermal exploitation in Africa.
Dr Mpango equally underscored the importance of the private sector in complementing government efforts on renewable energy investment which is vital in increasing power generation to boost economic development.
Deputy Minister for Energy, Ms Judith Kapinga said the conference offers rooms for the African countries traversed with Rift Valley, to exchange practical solutions for elevating geothermal energy exploitation in the country.
Kenya’s Minister for Energy and Petroleum, Mr James Wandayi said geothermal contribute about 40 per cent of power generation in the country.
He said Kenya is ready to share the path to other African countries so that they can also effectively explore and exploit geothermal energy.
Meanwhile, President of Africa Geothermal Association (AGA), Dr Peter Omenda assured technical assistance to all African countries to explore the renewable energy.
The conference which was co-organised by among others the Ministry of Energy, TGDC and the AGA brings government officials from various African countries, regional and international leaders in the energy sector, academics and policy makers. It will be concluded on Sunday.
