In a significant push to diversify its national energy grid, Tanzania has allocated nearly $10 million toward exploratory geothermal drilling. The initiative, spearheaded by the Tanzania Geothermal Development Company (TGDC), targets the resource-rich southwest region of the country.
Speaking at the 50th Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair, TGDC Acting Managing Director Shakiru Kajugus confirmed that the project is currently in the resource confirmation stage—a critical phase to prove the viability of the underground heat reservoirs before constructing full-scale power plants.
Project Specifications
During the current fiscal year, the TGDC plans to drill three exploratory wells.
Looking Toward 2030
This $10 million drilling campaign is a cornerstone of Tanzania’s broader climate and infrastructure strategy. If the resource confirmation at Ngozi and Kiejo-Mbaka is successful, the combined 130MW output from these two sites will allow the country to meet its national target of generating 130MW of geothermal power by 2030.
By tapping into stable, baseload geothermal energy, Tanzania aims to reduce its reliance on traditional energy sources, bolstering both grid reliability and environmental sustainability.
