Dar es Salaam — Tanzania has set an ambitious target of generating 130 megawatts of geothermal power by 2030 as part of its broader strategy to diversify the national energy mix, enhance energy security and accelerate the transition to renewable energy.
The Minister for Energy, Mr Deogratius Ndejembi, said the government is intensifying geothermal exploration activities, particularly around Lake Ngozi in Rungwe District, Mbeya Region, where significant underground heat resources have been identified. He noted that geothermal energy remains largely untapped despite its potential to provide reliable and sustainable baseload power.
Mr Ndejembi made the remarks on January 11, 2026, during a high-level discussion organised by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The session focused on the role of geothermal energy in electricity generation and its wider applications in agriculture, fisheries, industry and tourism.
Geothermal energy, which harnesses heat from beneath the earth’s surface, is regarded as a stable and climate-resilient power source, making it a strategic complement to Tanzania’s existing energy mix, which is dominated by hydropower and natural gas.
“Despite the challenges associated with the early stages of geothermal exploration, Tanzania is pressing ahead with research activities, especially in the Lake Ngozi area. Our overall plan is to generate about 130 megawatts of geothermal power by 2030,” Mr Ndejembi said.
He explained that the push for geothermal development comes amid climate variability and rising electricity demand driven by industrialisation, urbanisation and population growth. By expanding renewable energy sources, the government aims to ensure reliable and affordable power supply to support economic growth.
Beyond geothermal energy, the minister said Tanzania is also scaling up investment in other renewable sources, including solar and wind power. He cited the Kishapu solar power project, which is expected to generate 150 megawatts and feed electricity into the national grid, significantly boosting clean energy capacity.
Mr Ndejembi called on the private sector and development partners to collaborate closely with the government, particularly during the costly and technically demanding exploration phase of geothermal development.
Preliminary assessments indicate that Tanzania has about 52 geothermal sites with a combined potential of up to 5,000 megawatts, placing the country among African nations with substantial geothermal prospects.
Meanwhile, the World Bank has expressed strong interest in supporting Tanzania’s geothermal ambitions. The Bank’s Global Director for Energy and Extractives, Dr Demetrios Papathanasiou, said the institution is ready to finance both the exploration and development stages to help geothermal energy play a more prominent role in the country’s power generation mix alongside hydropower and natural gas.
The IRENA meetings brought together policymakers, financiers and energy experts from around the world to exchange experiences and mobilise investment in renewable energy.
Mr Ndejembi was accompanied by Tanzania’s Acting Ambassador to the UAE, Mr Bakari Ameir, Assistant Commissioner for Renewable Energy Imani Mruma, and other technical experts from the Ministry of Energy.
Tanzania’s geothermal drive forms part of its long-term strategy to ensure sustainable, affordable and resilient energy supplies in support of industrial development and long-term economic growth.
