| Abstract |
Geothermal energy in the Kebili region, south of Tunisia, has multiple utilizations, which are mainly in agriculture. 95% of the thermal water is used for irrigation of oases and heating of greenhouses. Generally, when the water temperature is less than 40-45?C, it is used directly for irrigation, but when it exceeds 45?C, the water is cooled by means of atmospheric towers before being used for irrigation of 16,000 hectares of oases (The half of the total area in the country). Geothermal energy is also used for heating and irrigating greenhouses, which is considered a promising and economically feasible application. The total area of heated greenhouses in the country has increased considerably and is today at 103 ha, in which 44% are located in the Kebili area. The utilization of the geothermal resources will, without a doubt, increase in the near future by the application of the remaining part of the greenhouse strategy. By the end of 2003, 13 ha will be added in the region, which represents an increase of 29%. |