Update on the status of Geothermal Development in
Africa Dr. Peter Omenda
President, IGA-Africa Regional Branch, Geothermal Consultant [email protected]
French Geothermal Cluster for
Heat & Power
Map of Africa Showing Geothermal areas Geothermal areas are associated with various tectonic regimes • Potential of >20,000MWe
is estimated for the East African Rift System countries
• Other regions have low to medium temperature resources
The East African Rift System Most medium and high temperature geothermal systems in Africa are associated with EARS:
Eastern Branch • Afar Rift • Ethiopian Rift • Kenya Rift
Western Branch • Albertine rift • L. Tanganyika – Rukwa - L.
Nyasa
Magmatism in EARS
Eastern Branch • Basalt - trachyte – rhyolite
volcanism dominant • Large caldera systems in the axis of
rift • Thick eruptive pile in the centre of
Kenya and Ethiopian domes • Shallow magma bodies present • Volcano hosted geothermal
systems dominant
Western Branch • Potassic alkaline volcanism dominant • Large caldera systems and volcanic
centers absent • Thin lava pile • Shallow magma bodies absent • Geothermal manifestations largely
associated with fault systems • Fault controlled geothermal systems
dominant
The EARS shows distinct characteristics in its two branches. The UN Environment ARGeo workshop in 2016 has been “a game changer” where it helped define new exploration strategies for the two sectors.
889 542 676 755
944 951 1,005
1,200 1,868
1,948 3,591
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500
Other Japan Kenya
Iceland Italy
Mexico New Zealand
Turkey Philippines
Indonesia United States
TOP 10 GEOTHERMAL COUNTRIES Total Installed capacity (MW) as of Sept. 2018 Total 14,369 MWe
ThinkGeoEnergy, Sept 2018
Africa Plans expansion as follows by 2025: • Kenya- 1,352 MW
(Menengai, Olkaria, Baringo-Silali, Barrier, Homa Hills, Akiira, Suswa)
• Ethiopia -985MW (Aluto, Corbeti, Tulu Moye,Abaya Tendaho)
- Djibouti- 250MW (Assal, Hanle, Gaggade etc..)
ETHIOPIA • Ethiopia has actively been exploring
for its geothermal resources since 1969
• Over 23 high temperature geothermal potential areas have been identified
• Majority of sites are volcano hosted geothermal systems
• Estimated potential of more than 10,000 Mwe
Ethiopia - Aluto • The 7.2 MWe Geothermal Combined Cycle
Unit was commissioned in 1998. • The plant had intermittent operation between
1998 and 2018 with challenges of maintenance
• Drilling is underway to allow for expansion of the field for 70 MWe
• Financing for drilling is from World Bank, Iceland, JICA and Government of Ethiopia
• Additional two wells (LA-9 and LA-10) were drilled between 2013 and 2015
Active Projects • Aluto - Langano – Project expansion to 70 MW in phases. Production
drilling to commence in 2019. US$230m committed. • Corbetti – Drilling and project development of 500 Mwe in phases.
US$2b committed. Drilling to commence in 2018 • Tendaho – Exploration is underway in Dubti, Alalobelda and Ayrobera.
Drilling and Well head plant planned (12MWe) and subsequent development to 100 MWe. Euro20 million committed for drilling at Dubti by AfD.
• Tulu Moye - Drilling and power development is planned = 100 MWe • Fantale, Dofan, Boku and North Abaya- Exploration is underway by
various private sector players.
GEOTHERMAL IN KENYA • All high enthalpy fields
are located within the axis of the Kenya rift valley
• Operating power plants are located at Olkaria and Eburru with over 676 MWe generated
• Production drilling ongoing at Menengai geothermal field
Developments in Kenya
• Olkaria I: 45 MWe commissioned in 1981-1983 • Olkaria I AU: 140 MWe commissioned in 2014 • Olkaria I AU unit 6 – 70 MWe under development • 100MWe of wellhead power generation • Olkaria II 105 commissioned in 2003/2009 • Olkaria III 140 MW – 2003 - 2014 • Oserian 4.3 MW 2006 • Olkaria IV 140 MW - 2014 • Eburru 2.52 MW - 2011
New Projects in Kenya • Olkaria V (2x77 MWe) • Construction is under way for the 154 MW
Olkaria V geothermal power project of Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) in Olkaria, Kenya.
• Menengai 1 • 3 x 35 MWe units under development by three
IPPs, namely, Orpower 22 Limited, Sosian Menengai Geothermal Power Limited and Quantum East Africa Power Limited.
• Olkaria I Redevelopment (50 MW). • Tender process to start in 2018
TANZANIA • Geothermal systems in Tanzania are
mainly associated with the western and eastern rift branches
• 4 prospects are prioritized: • Ngozi • Songwe • Kiejo-Mbaka • Luhoi- Rufiji
• Exploration drilling (Slim-hole) to commence in 2019/2020 by TGDC
• Ngozi is considered a high temperature volcanic hosted system. Slimholes are planned for 2019/2020
• Songwe, Luhoi and Kiejo-Mbaka prospects are considered low - medium temperature resources and are considered for direct use and small power project developments
• Projects are financed by AUC-GRMF, AfDB, Tanzania Government
Ngozi - Songwe – Kiejo-Mbaka Geothermal areas
Songwe hotsprings
Rungwe volcano
Mbaka fault
Mbeya Front fault
Kiejo volcano
UGANDA • Most of the geothermal
potential areas are associated with the western rift of the EARS
• The four major geothermal areas are:
• Katwe-Kikorongo, • Buranga, • Kibiro and • Panyimur
• Estimated potential in Uganda is 450 MWe
• Geothermometry indicates reservoir temperatures >150ᵒC
• The geothermal system is modeled as fault controlled
• Drilling of TG holes is planned for Kibiro
Kibiro
Buranga • The prospect has the largest
geothermal manifestation in Uganda – hot springs, mud pools, fumaroles, etc
• Fracture controlled system
Republic of Djibouti
No. Project area
1 Arta
2 Asal-Fiale-30 MW e
3 Djibouti Pk20
4 Dorra
5 Gaggadé
6 Hanlé
7 Lake Abhe
8 North-Ghoubet
9 North Lake Asal
10 Obock
11 Rouwéli
12 Sakalolo
13 South -Ghoubet
12
11
DJIBOUTI
1,000 MW Potential
Asal-Fiale Project
Lac Assal
Assal 1 & 3
Assal 6
Assal 2
Assal 4
Assal 5
Potential Geothermal Sectors
Lava Lake
Fiale Caldera
Seismic Activity
Geothermal Sectors and Location of Assal Exploratory Wells
Goubhet Al Kharab
Prefeasibility Study Promises: • Magma Chamber at only 3000 m
• Seawater Flow Between Goubhet Al Kharab and Lac Assal Provides Geothermal Fluid Recharge
• Rift fracturing for Improved Permeability
ASAL-FIALE CALDERA DRILLING TARGET
Republic of Djibouti
COMOROS • Geothermal potential highest within the Grand
Comoro Island • Further studies planned at Karthala and La
Grille volcanoes • Potential is estimated at >30 MWe • Phase one project development at Karthala
volcano • Exploration drilling planned is supported by,
among others, AUC-GRMF, NZ Govt., UNDP • Phase one Project goal: 10 MWe
Other potential projects • Eritrea: (Alid – potential high temperature resource) • Zambia (Bwengwa River, Kapisya; low - medium
temperature resources. Projects are being developed by Private and state agencies)
• Rwanda: (Gisenyi, Bugarama – low to medium temperature geothermal resources to be developed for DU and small size power plants)
• Burundi: low to medium temperature geothermal resources to be developed for DU and small size power plants
• Others: Malawi and Mozambique for low – medium temp utilization
Kapisya
Main Challenges to Geothermal Development • Inadequate finance for early stages of geothermal projects • High upfront costs and high risk • Inadequate grant support for exploration drilling • DFIs and agencies reluctance to support exploration of low-medium
temperature resources and direct use investments • Commercial banks reluctance to participate in the exploration phase • Inadequate trained human capacity • Lack of Clear and coherent policy and legislation in many African
countries
Conclusions • Africa Geothermal Centre of Excellence to be fully
established to meet practical training requirements for Africa.
• Financing and technical support to projects for low-medium temperature resources and small size/hybrid power projects should be enhanced as they promise maximum benefits to the communities in line with the goals of SDGs (Access to energy/job creation and income generation)
• Geothermal will Contribute to the achievement of Paris Agreement/UNFCCC for countries in Eastern Africa through Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) as one of the alternative renewable energy resource mitigating GHG emission.