Uganda and Tanzania are set to begin generating electricity from geothermal resources to plug the supply deficit.
Green Impact Development Services (GIDS) is carrying out exploration and evaluation of geothermal resources with aim of developing a 100 MW power plant at Buranga in western Uganda.
Uganda's Energy Ministry said government is promoting the use of renewable sources such as geothermal energy, as alternatives to hydropower and fossil fuels generation.
GIDS said pre-feasibility studies at the Buranga project showed that subsurface water temperatures of 150 to 200 degrees Celsius are suitable for electricity production for direct use in industry and agriculture. "The company is planning to drill three deep exploration wells at the prospect and develop 30 MW well-head geothermal power plant units at each successful well," said the firm. This will require at least $42 million.
By the end of 2013, Uganda had granted geothermal exploration licences to Ascot Associates Ltd, Clean Source Energy Partners Ltd, FCN Energies Ltd, Cozumel Energy (U) Ltd, GIDS, the Katwe Geothermal Power Project Ltd, Pawakom International Ltd and Moberge Finance Ltd.
Uganda and Rwanda have signed a memorandum of understanding with Kenya to help expedite geothermal development. They are expected to benefit from the financial advice of the Kenya Electricity Generating Company and Geothermal Development Company.
