| Abstract |
Development of geothermal energy in Malawi continues to register restricted growth due to among others, lack of financial and technical aptitude. On the other hand, the country continues to experience insufficient energy supply despite availability of alternative untapped clean renewable energy resources, including geothermal. The Country is situated within the western arm of the East African Rift System, and has low to medium temperature geothermal resources. Geothermal potential is manifested by the presence of hot springs across the country. Despite the potential, no exploitation has been registered apart from bathing and washing. In an effort to cushion the financial deficit, the Government of Malawi applied and subsequently received a credit from the World Bank in 2014 through Energy Sector Support Project (ESSP). The funds were mainly aimed at initiating geothermal resources exploration in the country. The Ministry of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining through the Department of Energy Affairs and Geological Survey Department implemented the project with technical support from ELC-Eletroconsult. ESSP was implemented in three phases. Subsequent to the conclusions of first and second phases, six and then two geothermal potential sites were selected respectively based on technical criteria. In the third phase, detailed geological, geochemical and geophysical (MT, TEM, gravimetric) investigations were carried out at Chiweta and Kasitu prospects. Integrated conceptual models revealed subsurface geothermal reservoirs of temperature between 110° and 135° C at depths of 500-750m with electric potential of 7 and 15 MW for Kasitu and Chiweta geothermal prospects, respectively. If funds allow, the exploration drilling programme of slim and geothermal gradient boreholes will be probable for both sites based on pre-feasibility study approval. The United Nations University Geothermal Training Programme (UNU-GTP), Geothermal Development Company (GDC) and Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) have trained more than 15 Malawians in Geothermal Surface Exploration since 2010, contributing to geothermal capacity building for Malawi. By 2018, four Malawians had undergone six months training fellowship under UNU-GTP in Iceland and two attained geothermal sciences master’s degrees. ESSP trained three officers through on job training by ELC-Eletroconsult. |