Help us exploit geothermal energy, Tanzania delegation urges Kenya

The Tanzania government has sought Kenya’s help to fast-track its plans to exploit geothermal energy. The neighbouring country has identified 52 sites which have a potential to generate 650 megawatts of power.

Speaking to the media at Menengai geothermal development, Tanzania’s chairman to the parliamentary select committee on energy and mining, Mr Victor Mwambalaswa, said geothermal power production in Kenya has been successful in the past four years and it will be a boon for Tanzania if it is replicated.

The delegation comprising parliamentarians and senior officials from ministry of energy are in Kenya for a one-week visit to geothermal development sites in the Rift Valley.

Mr Mwambalaswa said they would send Tanzanian professionals for training on geothermal exploration as well as seek ways of working with Kenya to hasten their exploitation of inexpensive power.

“We have been impressed by what Kenya has done in the past four years and we have discussed what is going to suit both of us,” he noted.

Tanzania commissioner for energy and petroleum Hosea Mbise said that the exploited energy in the country is about 600 megawatts — approximately 20 per cent of the country’s capacity aginst a demand of about 900 megawatts.

The African Development Bank, which is a key financier of the Menengai geothermal project, is sponsoring a few experts from Tanzania to train in geothermal science.

“Tanzania will rely on Kenya’s established geothermal tradition to develop our resources back home in our country.” Mr Mbise noted.

Potential sites include Lake Ngozi, River Mbaka and Songwe around the Mbeya region.