Skip to main content

TGDC to harness 30Mwe from Geothermal Having acquired a New rig

Tanzania Gears Up for a Geothermal Energy Revolution



In a strategic move towards sustainable energy, the Tanzanian government is set to tap into the vast potential of geothermal resources, aiming to diversify its energy mix. Deputy Minister of Energy, Judith Kapinga, announced this groundbreaking initiative in Dodoma, emphasizing the pivotal role of the Tanzania Geothermal Development Company (TGDC) in spearheading the country's geothermal endeavors.


Several ambitious projects are already in progress across different regions of Tanzania. Notable among them is the Ngozi project, targeting a generation capacity of 70 MW, and the Kiejo Mbaka project in Mbeya, aiming for 60 MW. In the Songwe region, a 5 MW project is underway in Pwani province, while a significant 60 MW project is in development in Natron, Arusha.


Currently, most of these projects are in the crucial phase of feasibility studies, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the geological and technical aspects before full-scale implementation. The meticulous planning underscores Tanzania's commitment to ensuring the long-term success and sustainability of its geothermal energy initiatives.


The government's vision is clear — by 2025/2026, Tanzania aims to generate at least 30 MWe (megawatts of electricity) from geothermal sources. This ambitious target aligns with the nation's broader strategy to reduce dependency on traditional fossil fuels and embrace cleaner, more sustainable energy alternatives.


One significant leap towards achieving this goal is the recent acquisition of a new drilling rig. This cutting-edge equipment enhances Tanzania's capabilities in harnessing geothermal energy, enabling the exploration and extraction of this valuable resource with greater efficiency. The new rig is expected to play a pivotal role in expediting the development of geothermal projects, bringing the envisioned 30 MWe capacity closer to reality.


Geothermal energy offers numerous advantages, including its reliability, low carbon footprint, and independence from external fuel sources. Tanzania's push towards harnessing geothermal power not only contributes to its energy security but also aligns with global efforts to combat climate change.


As Tanzania advances on this transformative journey, the synergy between government initiatives and technological advancements positions the country as a beacon of sustainable energy development in the region. With a clear roadmap and tangible projects in motion, Tanzania is poised to unlock the immense potential of geothermal energy, paving the way for a greener and more resilient future.

Comments

Hot Topics 🔥

Eavor’s Geretsried Closed-Loop Geothermal Plant Now Powers the Grid

Eavor Technologies Achieves Historic Milestone: World’s First Commercial-Scale Closed-Loop Geothermal System Now Delivering Power in Geretsried, Germany Published: December 2025 By:  Robert Buluma The Day Geothermal Changed Forever On a crisp Bavarian morning in late 2025, a quiet revolution in clean energy officially went live.   Eavor Technologies Inc ., the Calgary-based pioneer of closed-loop geothermal technology, announced that its flagship commercial project in Geretsried, Germany has begun delivering power to the grid becoming the world’s first utility-scale multilateral closed-loop geothermal system to achieve commercial operation. For anyone who has followed the geothermal sector for the last decade, this is nothing short of seismic (pun intended). What Makes Eavor’s Closed-Loop System Truly Disruptive? Traditional geothermal plants rely on naturally occurring hot water reservoirs or enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) that require hydraulic fracturing and massiv...

Geothermal Energy Powers Next Generation Sustainable Data Centers

Geothermal Power Meets Data Centers in Strategic Shift By: Robert Buluma The global energy landscape is undergoing a profound transformation, and at the heart of this shift lies an unexpected but powerful convergence: geothermal energy and digital infrastructure . In a move that signals both ambition and foresight, Pertamina Geothermal Energy (PGEO) is preparing to expand beyond its traditional role as a power producer and enter the rapidly growing data center industry . This is not just another diversification strategy. It is a calculated leap into the future—one that aligns renewable energy with the insatiable demand for digital services. The implications are far-reaching, not only for Indonesia but for the global energy-tech nexus. A Bold Step Beyond Electricity For decades, geothermal companies have largely focused on one thing: generating electricity. PGEO , a subsidiary of Indonesia’s energy giant Pertamina, has been no exception. With a growing portfolio of geothermal assets and...

Engie advances geothermal exploration for Réunion Island energy independence

Engie’s Geothermal Ambitions in Réunion Island: A Turning Point for Energy Independence in Volcanic Territories By: Robert Buluma In a world increasingly defined by the urgency of energy transition, remote island territories stand at the frontline of both vulnerability and opportunity. The recent move by to secure a geothermal exploration permit in marks more than just another project milestone—it signals a potential transformation in how isolated regions harness their natural resources to break free from fossil fuel dependency. This development, centered in the Cafres-Palmistes highlands, is not merely about drilling wells or building a power plant. It is about unlocking the immense geothermal promise hidden beneath volcanic landscapes, navigating environmental sensitivities, and setting a precedent for sustainable energy in island economies worldwide. A Strategic Foothold in Volcanic Terrain Réunion Island, located east of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean, is a geological marvel...

Ormat raises concerns over Kenya Power payment delays

When Power Stalls: Payment Delays Threaten Kenya’s Geothermal Momentum By: Robert Buluma Kenya’s geothermal story has long been told as one of Africa’s most compelling energy success narratives—a nation that dared to dig deep into the Earth and emerged with a reliable, renewable backbone for its electricity grid. From the steaming plains of Olkaria to the ambitious expansions across the Rift Valley, geothermal has positioned Kenya as a continental leader in clean baseload power. But beneath this success lies a growing tension—one that could quietly undermine the very foundation of this progress. Recent signals from , one of Kenya’s key independent power producers, have cast a spotlight on a familiar yet dangerous challenge: delayed payments from . What may appear as a routine financial hiccup is, in reality, a warning sign with far-reaching implications for investment, energy security, and the future trajectory of geothermal development in Kenya. The Backbone of Kenya’s Energy System T...

BRIN and Geo Dipa Advance Modular Geothermal Wellhead Power

BRIN and Geo Dipa Pioneer Modular Wellhead Technology for Small-Scale Geothermal Power Revolution By: Robert Buluma Opening Perspective: A Quiet Revolution at the Wellhead Across Indonesia’s volcanic arc, geothermal energy has long been viewed through the lens of massive power stations—multi-well, multi-megawatt installations requiring years of development and heavy capital investment. But a quieter transformation is emerging. Instead of waiting years for large-scale geothermal plants, engineers and researchers are now asking a radical question: What if geothermal power could begin at the wellhead itself—small, fast, modular, and locally distributed? This is exactly the direction being taken by Indonesia’s national research agency BRIN in collaboration with state geothermal developer Geo Dipa Energi . Their joint effort to develop modular wellhead technology for small-scale geothermal power plants represents one of the most important shifts in geothermal development strategy in...

Star Energy Begins Lampung Geothermal Drilling, Unlocking Indonesia’s Potential

Star Energy’s Lampung Drilling Campaign: Indonesia’s Next Geothermal Frontier Awakens The ground beneath Lampung has waited long enough. For years, the Sekincau geothermal prospect in southern Sumatra existed as a promise—mapped, studied, debated, and cautiously anticipated. Beneath its surface lies a force that has powered civilizations in silence: geothermal energy. Now, that silence is about to be broken. In 2026, is preparing to initiate what could become one of the most consequential geothermal drilling campaigns in Indonesia’s recent history. The move signals more than just another exploration program—it marks a decisive step into Indonesia’s next geothermal frontier. This is not just drilling. This is ignition. The Sekincau Prospect: From Geological Promise to Strategic Reality Located in Lampung Province, the Sekincau geothermal field represents a classic greenfield opportunity—untapped, uncertain, and filled with both risk and transformative potential. Unlike brownfield expan...

Daiwa Can Launches Offsite Corporate PPA with Kyuden, TEPCO

Geothermal Power Meets Corporate Demand: A New Era of Offsite PPA Decarbonization In a world racing toward decarbonization, one truth is becoming increasingly clear: renewable energy must not only be clean—it must also be reliable. While solar and wind have dominated the conversation for years, their intermittency continues to challenge industries that rely on uninterrupted power. Now, a groundbreaking development from Japan is redefining what corporate renewable energy procurement can look like, and at the center of it lies geothermal power. In April 2026, Daiwa Can Company, in partnership with Kyuden Mirai Energy and Tokyo Electric Power Company Energy Partner, launched an innovative offsite corporate Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) powered by geothermal energy. This initiative is more than just a contract—it represents a paradigm shift in how industries can secure stable, low-carbon electricity while mitigating operational risks. The Rising Importance of Corporate PPAs Corporate ...

LCOE Benchmarking: Eavor Technologies vs. Fervo Energy

LCOE Compared: Eavor Technologies vs.  Fervo Energy   Two Bets on Next-Generation Geothermal An Alphaxioms Geothermal Insights Analysis | May 2026 Image:  Eavor and Fervo Drilling Rigs well poised in their respective well pads , drill baby , baby what a time to be a live Introduction: Why the Cost Question Matters Now The global geothermal sector is in the middle of a pivotal moment. After decades of stagnation largely confined to volcanic hotspots, two fundamentally different technological approaches are racing to prove that geothermal energy can be deployed broadly, cheaply, and at scale. Eavor Technologies , the Calgary-based advanced geothermal systems (AGS) company, and Fervo Energy , the Houston-based enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) pioneer, represent the sharpest divergence in next-generation geothermal strategy today. Each company is backed by hundreds of millions of dollars in private capital, each has reached key commercial milestones, and each is advancing ...

KenGen’s Sh32bn project stalled amid donor funding dispute

Donor Funding Row Freezes KenGen’s Sh32 Billion Geothermal Ambition A Billion-Shilling Dream Stalls in Kenya’s Energy Heartland By:  Robert Buluma In the shadow of the steaming vents and rugged volcanic terrain of Hell’s Gate National Park, one of Kenya’s most ambitious clean energy expansions has hit an unexpected wall. The multi-billion-shilling geothermal project led by the Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) — valued at approximately Sh32 billion — has been frozen following a donor funding dispute. What was once a symbol of Kenya’s global leadership in geothermal energy now finds itself entangled in financial uncertainty, bureaucratic friction, and the fragile nature of international development financing. The pause is more than a delay in infrastructure delivery. It is a signal of how modern energy transitions, even in globally admired renewable hubs like Kenya, are still deeply dependent on external capital flows, policy alignment, and institutional trust betwe...

Oil Giant Goes Deep for Clean Heat: Occidental Drills 4 Miles Underground in Colorado – Fastest Superduper Geothermal Well Yet

The Quiet Revolution Underground: How an Oil Giant Drilled 4 Miles Deep for Geothermal Heat And What It Means for the Future of Clean Energy By:  Robert Buluma  Date:March 6, 2026 Imagine this: In the flat, oil-soaked plains of Weld County, Colorado—where drilling rigs have long been synonymous with fossil fuels—a massive rig rises quietly last spring. No fanfare, no press releases blasting headlines. Just Occidental Petroleum (Oxy) , the oil behemoth better known for pumping black gold, sinking twin boreholes nearly four miles (about 20,000 feet) into the Earth. Not for oil or gas this time—but for something far more revolutionary: limitless, carbon-free heat from the planet's depths. Completed in under six weeks starting April 2025, this secretive project—dubbed GLADE (Geothermal Limitless Approach to Drilling Efficiencies)—has sent ripples through the geothermal world. Backed by a $9 million U.S. Department of Energy grant from 2022, GLADE wasn't about extracting hydrocarb...