Context
Climate change is increasingly becoming a global concern as it presents significant challenges to sustainable livelihoods, economic development, and global security. Tanzania faces increasing climate change impacts across vital sectors including water, energy, agriculture, and health. The country’s current energy supply relies heavily on biomass (85%), followed by petroleum (9%) and electricity (5%), with 80% of households depending on traditional biomass for cooking and heating.
Although Tanzania has diverse energy sources (biomass, hydro, uranium, natural gas, coal, geothermal, solar, and wind), most remain untapped. The country’s electricity generation (1,922.89 MW total capacity) comes primarily from natural gas (63.17%) and hydropower (31.83%), managed mainly by the government-owned Tanzania Electric Supply Company (TANESCO).
Due to supply security concerns during dry seasons, Tanzania aims to reduce hydropower dependence by developing renewable alternatives, including geothermal energy. As part of the East African Rift Valley System, Tanzania has substantial geothermal potential estimated at over 5,000 MW of electricity and 15,000 MW of thermal energy across 50 clusters in 16 regions.
The Tanzania Power System Master Plan projects a need for 20,200.6 MW of installed capacity by 2044, with 4.93% (995 MW) coming from geothermal sources. The Meru geothermal project is a priority development with an estimated 60 MW potential, but it faces barriers including high exploration costs and a lack of private investment due to perceived risks.
Goal of TA
The overall objective of the technical assistance is to support the Government of Tanzania in increasing the renewable energy contribution to the national generation mix through low emissions of geothermal energy development for the social and economic benefits of the country as well as providing capacity-building support to TGDC staff on surface exploration and the engagement of indigenous people and local communities.
CAA Technical Assistance
Tanzania Geothermal Development Company (TGDC) has requested technical assistance from Climate Action Africa to conduct detailed surface studies of the Meru prospect. This project aligns with Tanzania’s climate adaptation efforts and would help reduce dependency on environmentally harmful fossil fuels while building climate resilience and promoting sustainable economic growth. The proposed technical assistance (TA) aims to conduct a detailed surface study for the Meru Geothermal Prospect in Arusha Region, northern Tanzania. This work will identify potential drilling sites and enhance national capacity to implement and manage geothermal projects, particularly in surface exploration, data processing, and analysis.
The technical assistance involves two major components:
- Conduct a detailed surface exploration program: This program aims to carry out scientific studies to confirm geothermal resources and develop a conceptual model to locate at least three target drilling sites. The work includes high-resolution remote sensing, geological, geochemical, and geophysical surveys, developing an integrated conceptual model, designing wells and a drilling program, calculating greenhouse gas emissions avoidance, assessing the project’s contribution to NDC implementation, and conducting preliminary environmental and social impact assessments following best practices for engaging local communities.
- Training and capacity building: This component will improve local knowledge, professionalism, and capacity for planning and exploring geothermal resources in Tanzania. As the geothermal sector grows with ambitious plans, substantial advances in skills are needed among scientists, planners and decision-makers. TGDC will train relevant staff in geothermal resource assessments including remote sensing, geology, geochemistry, geophysics, conceptual modeling, drilling technology, ESG criteria, and handling project transactions such as engaging investors, bidding, negotiations, contracts, and financial modeling.
The work will be carried out in collaboration with climate and geothermal specialists from Oxfam Consults and TownRock Energy, a leading UK-based geothermal energy company, and specialist consultancy Aquarius Resources.
