Tanzania founds own Geothermal Development Company
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (source: flickr/ Ali Damji, creative commons)
Francisco Rojas
20 Aug 2014
Operating as a subsidiary of Tanzania Electric Supply Company, the Tanzania Geothermal Development Company started operations in July in order to efficiently exploit the geothermal resources of the country.
In an effort to “steer the country into effectively and beneficially tapping its geothermal resources”, Tanzania has formed a new geothermal company. Operating as a subsidiary of Tanzania Electric Supply Company (Tanesco), the Tanzania Geothermal Development Company started operations in July this year, according to the Energy and Minerals Minister, Professor Sospeter Muhongo.
“We have huge potential in geothermal since Tanzania has the largest share of the East Africa’s Rift Valley system. I should admit that we have delayed to make use of this opportunity,” Prof Muhongo has told the local ‘Daily News’ in an interview.
Tanzania has the largest part of both the Eastern and Western Arm of the East African Rift Valley system, which experts say is very suitable for producing geothermal energy. Prof Muhongo expressed optimism that the country would start generating electricity from the new but cheap source of energy within the next two years. The company started in July by exploring sites where production can start but Lake Ngozi in Mbeya has so far identified as a suitable to start generation.
“However, generation through geothermal unlike other sources is done in phases so we should not expect to have the 4,000 plus megawatts overnight,” the minister explained. Prof Muhongo said the government was cooperating with other countries to get experience of how to go about the new source.
The countries include Germany, United States, Italy and Japan. Geothermal is listed number six on Prof Muhongo’s option for electricity generation which he describes as ‘energy mix’ or ‘matrix.’
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Source: All Africa Website
