Skip to main content

RFP: Surface Studies Meru Geothermal Field ~Northern Tanzania

Request for Proposal: Surface Geothermal Studies for Meru Geothermal Field in Northern Tanzania

By:Robert Buluma

Image: Tanzanian Elephants cruising through North Tanzania insearch of water and much greener savanna

The renewable energy sector in East Africa is experiencing rapid growth, with geothermal energy emerging as a cornerstone of sustainable development. Among the region’s most promising geothermal sites is the Meru Geothermal Field in Northern Tanzania. To unlock this resource's potential, a Request for Proposal (RFP) has been issued for surface geothermal studies, inviting experienced firms and consultants to participate.

Just a few hours we were hot with news for Songwe Geothermal call for investors , getting into this current status at Meru its obvious Tanzania is not mincing when it comes to tapping the heat beneath our feet.

Objectives of the RFP

The key objective of the RFP is to conduct detailed surface geothermal studies to evaluate the resource potential of the Meru Geothermal Field. The study will focus on identifying and mapping geothermal reservoirs to support future drilling and development initiatives. The scope of work includes:

Geological Surveys: Mapping surface geological features to identify fault lines and geothermal structures.

Geochemical Analysis: Sampling geothermal fluids and gases, including hot springs and fumaroles, to analyze reservoir chemistry.

Geophysical Surveys: Employing advanced techniques such as resistivity surveys, magnetotellurics (MT), and seismic methods to define subsurface reservoirs.

Environmental Baseline Studies: Assessing potential environmental impacts and ensuring alignment with sustainability goals.

Resource Assessment: Estimating the geothermal potential and providing recommendations for future development.

This wont be the first time TGDC is seeking for Tenders, so its evident there is a well structured plan on how this will be executed.

Qualifications for Bidders

Interested firms or consultants must demonstrate proven expertise in geothermal exploration and have completed similar projects in comparable terrains. Key requirements include:

1.Technical Expertise: Proficiency in conducting geological, geochemical, and geophysical studies using modern equipment and methodologies.

2.Regional Experience: A strong understanding of geothermal exploration in East African rift systems or other volcanic terrains.

3.Team Composition: A multidisciplinary team of qualified professionals, including geologists, geochemists, geophysicists, and environmental scientists.

4.Regulatory Compliance: Adherence to local and international standards for environmental protection and safety.

Strategic Importance of the Meru Geothermal Field

Tanzania is prioritizing the development of geothermal energy to diversify its energy portfolio and enhance energy security. The Meru Geothermal Field holds immense potential to supplement the national grid, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and mitigate the effects of climate change.

By harnessing geothermal resources, Tanzania can secure a stable, low-carbon energy supply, promoting economic growth and resilience in the face of climate variability. The successful execution of this project will set a benchmark for geothermal development in the region.

Companies like Toshiba have already set foot in Tanzania an indicator that Tanzania could be a Geothermal powerhouse.

 Proposal Submission and Timeline

Interested parties are encouraged to review the detailed RFP document, which outlines submission requirements, evaluation criteria, and key deadlines. Proposals must provide a comprehensive approach to achieving the project’s objectives and demonstrate the capacity to deliver high-quality results within the specified timeframe. The RFP document can be accessed here. And EOI Submitted climateactionafrica@alineainternational.com as email. 

This is so unique that it entices individual bidders as well as companies however with a foot in Canada.

The Time Frames are stipulated as follows:

Clarity: 17th January,2025

Submission Deadline: 31st January,2025

Award of Contract: 7th February 2025

Source:Climate Action Africa

Connect with us: LinkedIn ,X


Comments

Popular Posts

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...

Amsterdam Strikes Geothermal Gold: Hot, Thick, Permeable Reservoir Confirmed

Breakthrough Beneath the Beach: Amsterdam Region Hits Geothermal Paydirt at Strandeiland By: Robert Buluma The Netherlands just took a giant leap toward fossil-free heating. On the artificial island of Strandeiland (part of Amsterdam’s fast-growing IJburg district), the SCAN exploration well has officially confirmed what the geothermal community has been hoping for: a thick, hot, and , most importantly permeable reservoir in the Slochteren Formation. Key numbers that matter:   Reservoir thickness: 152 meters   Bottom-hole temperature: 66 °C   Permeability: confirmed via successful production and injection tests   That’s not screaming-hot by Icelandic standards, but for direct-use district heating in one of Europe’s densest urban areas, 66 °C is more than enough to supply thousands of homes with clean, baseload heat – forever. Why This Well Changes Everything for the Netherlands The Dutch government launched the SCAN program (Seismic Campaign Nethe...

Exclusive Interview: An In-Depth Look at Exergy’s Game-Changing Gemini Turbine

Exclusive interview with Exergy : discover the new Gemini dual-flow radial outflow turbine, the first single-unit ORC solution for 30–60 MW geothermal projects, offering up to 30 % lower costs and 99 % availability. By:  Robert Buluma .   An interview with  Luca Pozzoni -  Deputy CEO | Group CFO - Exergy International and the Exergy Team 1. Can you walk us through the key design innovations in your new Gemini turbine and how it differs from previous models? The major innovation of the Gemini turbine lies in the dual-flow configuration: unlike conventional radial outflow turbines which are equipped with a single bladed overhung rotor disk, the Gemini features a double-side bladed rotor disk mounted in a between-bearing configuration. This enables the efficient processing of significantly larger volumes of fluid, leading to higher power output having basically two radial outflow turbines in a single machine with enhanced operational stability and simplified mainte...

Zanskar’s Big Blind: First Blind Geothermal Discovery in 30 Years

Big Blind: The Geothermal Discovery That Changes Everything By: Robert Buluma Utah startup  Zanskar Geothermal quietly dropped one of the most important announcements in American energy in decades. They discovered and confirmed “Big Blind” ,the first completely blind, commercial-grade geothermal system found in the United States in over thirty years. Let that sink in. No hot springs.   No fumaroles.   No steaming ground.   No prior wells.   Zero surface expression whatsoever. Just desert, sagebrush, and – 7,000 feet below,  a reservoir hot enough and permeable enough to support gigawatt-scale power production. This isn’t incremental progress. This is a paradigm breaker. Why “Blind” Discoveries Matter So Much For the last 40 years, geothermal development in the U.S. has been geographically handcuffed. You could only build plants where nature advertised the resource on the surface – think Yellowstone, The Geysers, or Imperial Valley. Ever...

Karlsruhe’s Geothermal Collapse: A Costly Blow to Germany’s Energy Transition

Karlsruhe’s Geothermal Collapse: A Costly Blow to Germany’s Energy Transition By:  Robert Buluma In the heart of Baden-Württemberg, a project that once symbolized ambition, innovation, and the promise of clean geothermal heat has now collapsed quietly. What was meant to become one of Germany’s most transformative regional heating networks has instead turned into a warning sign for Europe’s energy transition. The dissolution of the regional heat association in the Karlsruhe district,made up of ten municipalities,marks a serious setback not only for Germany but for the broader global geothermal movement. This is more than a failed project. It is a lesson in communication, financing, political courage, and the true cost of clean energy. A Vision That Should Have Succeeded The plan was compelling: Harness the deep geothermal power beneath Graben-Neudorf,home to Germany’s hottest geothermal well to deliver CO₂-neutral district heating to communities from Bretten to Bruchsal, Forst, and ...

Hot Nest Norway: Geothermal Luxury Carved Inside a Mountain

Hot Nest Norway: The World’s Most Extraordinary Geothermal Spa Resort is Taking Shape Inside a Mountain By:  Robert Buluma Deep in the dramatic Gudbrandsdalen valley in Otta, Norway, something truly groundbreaking (literally) is happening. A former slate quarry is being transformed into Hot Nest Norway – a year-round luxury destination carved directly into the bedrock of the mountain, powered entirely by deep geothermal energy. This isn’t just another spa. It’s a visionary fusion of raw Norwegian nature, cutting-edge renewable energy, and jaw-dropping architecture that looks like it was designed by a collaboration between Tolkien and Tesla. What is Hot Nest Norway? Imagine walking into a mountain and discovering 3,000 m² of luxurious spaces:   20 uniquely designed hotel rooms   700 m² of geothermal-heated indoor and outdoor pools (yes, outdoor pools in the Norwegian winter – steaming at +38 °C while snow falls around you)   A fine-dining restaurant cel...

Alberta Bets $35 Million on the Future of Drilling: From Smarter Oil Wells to Geothermal and Critical Minerals Breakthroughs

Alberta launches $35-million challenge to reinvent drilling for the next 50 years   By  Robert Buluma | December 3, 2025   EDMONTON – The days of drilling straight down and hoping for the best are long gone. Today, operators in Western Canada routinely steer multi-kilometre horizontal wells with pinpoint accuracy from a single surface location. Tomorrow’s wells, however, could be guided entirely by artificial intelligence, powered by low-emission rigs, and used to unlock everything from geothermal heat to critical minerals and permanent CO₂ storage. That future just got a $35-million boost. Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA ) officially opened applications this week for the Drilling Technology Challenge, a funding program designed to bridge the “valley of death” that too often kills promising subsurface innovations before they ever reach the field. “Many great ideas never make it past the prototype stage because the cost and risk of real-world testing are simply...

Cornell PhD: Earth & Atmospheric Sciences – Fall 2026 Opportunities

Exciting PhD Opportunities in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at Cornell University (Fall 2026 Admission) By: Robert Buluma If you’re a prospective graduate student interested in cutting-edge research in climate science, glaciology, physical oceanography, geospace physics, volcanology, or cryosphere processes, Cornell University’s Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences (EAS) just announced a fantastic set of fully funded PhD positions starting in Fall 2026. The department posted a detailed call on LinkedIn (shared widely on X/Twitter by Prof. Matt Pritchard) listing specific projects and the faculty members actively recruiting students right now. These are not generic openings; each professor has described their project and what kind of student they are looking for. Here are the current opportunities (as of early December 2025): 1. Climate Dynamics   Professor: Flavio Lehner (flavio.lehner@cornell.edu)   Focus: Climate variability with emphasis on how sea-surfa...

TOPP2 Synchronised: Eastland Generation, Ngāti Tūwharetoa Geothermal Assets & Ormat Success

Milestone Achieved: New Zealand’s Newest Geothermal Power Station TOPP2 Successfully Synchronised to the National Grid By:  Robert Buluma On 3 December 2025, a significant new chapter in Aotearoa New Zealand’s renewable energy story began when the 49 MW Te Onetapu Power Plant 2 (TOPP2) , the country’s newest geothermal station , was successfully synchronised to the national grid for the first time. Located in the Kawerau geothermal field, TOPP2 is the result of a unique and groundbreaking partnership between Eastland Generation (a subsidiary of Eastland Group) and Ngāti Tūwharetoa Geothermal Assets Ltd, the commercial arm of the Ngāti Tūwharetoa Settlement Trust. A True Partnership Success Story This is not just another power station. TOPP2 represents one of the most successful examples of post-Treaty settlement iwi ownership and operation in the energy sector. Ngāti Tūwharetoa Geothermal Assets supplies the geothermal steam and heat under a long-term agreement, while Eastland Gene...

Hyundai Builds World’s Largest Single-Unit Geothermal Power Plant

Hyundai E&C Breaks Record: Building the World’s Largest Single-Unit Geothermal Power Plant in Indonesia By:  Robert Buluma In a remarkable feat of engineering, Hyundai Engineering & Construction ( Hyundai E&C) has just completed the Sarulla Geothermal Power Plant (Sarulla GPP) in North Sumatra, Indonesia now officially recognized as the world’s largest single-unit geothermal power plant with a capacity of 330 MW. This milestone not only showcases Korean engineering excellence on the global stage but also marks a significant step forward for clean, reliable renewable energy in Southeast Asia. A Giant Leap for Geothermal Energy Located in the Sarulla region of North Sumatra, the plant consists of three units that together deliver 330 megawatts of clean electricity enough to power approximately 2.1 million Indonesian households. What makes Sarulla truly special is its single-unit design. While many geothermal projects around the world are built in smaller, modular phases...