Kenya to boost Tanzania’s energy production

By KARANJA NJOROGE and ANTONY GITONGA

Tanzania is looking to Kenya to develop its geothermal potential. A delegation of MPs and State officials is in the country on a one-week tour to learn from Kenya’s expertise in harnessing the renewable energy resource.

Speaking on his tour of the Menengai Geothermal Project in Nakuru, the head of delegation and Chairman of the Tanzanian Parliamentary Committee on Energy and Mining Mr Victor Mwambalaswa said, Tanzania is looking to accelerate its geothermal portfolio to shore up electricity production.

“Kenya already has a classic model of geothermal production that we need to replicate in Tanzania,” Mwambalaswa said.

“We will therefore be relying on Kenya’s established geothermal tradition, expertise, experience and equipment to achieve our target,” he said.

 Among the areas the visiting team is keen on is capacity building, licensing regime and institutional as well as legal framework on geothermal energy. Tanzanian Commissioner of Energy and Mining Mr Hosea Mbishe said his country has 52 geothermal sites, which are yet to be fully exploited.

 The sites, which have a potential of generating up to 650 megawatts include Lake Ngozi, River Mbaka and Songwe around the Mbeya region.

“We have not done much in geothermal development despite the fact that within our borders lies massive potential of the resource,” Mbishe said.

As part of the collaboration between the two countries, GDC has offered to train four experts from Tanzania on geothermal science. The African Development Bank is also planning to sponsor more experts for capacity building in Kenya.

 “Only when we diversify our energy mix shall be able to boost our economy and attract investors,” Mwambalaswa said. 

Currently, Tanzania relies on hydropower, natural gas and wind for its supplies.

This, however, still falls short of the country’s total energy demand.