Ministry orders equipment for verifying geothermal resources at Lake Ngozi

MBEYA: DEPUTY Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Energy, Dr James Mataragio, has directed the Tanzania Electric Supply Company (TANESCO) and its subsidiary, the Tanzania Geothermal Development Company (TGDC), to ensure that all equipment required for verifying geothermal resources in the Lake Ngozi project arrives on time that the verification work can be completed within the scheduled period.

Dr Mataragio gave the directions on Wednesday during his inspection visit to review ongoing activities at the project site in Rungwe District, Mbeya Region.

Emphasizing, the PS noted that the project must be completed on schedule due to its national importance.

“As we implement these geothermal projects, let us remember that we are also fulfilling the 2015 National Energy Policy, which emphasizes that Tanzania should generate electricity from a mix of energy sources, geothermal being one of them,” he said.

Commenting on the delay in the arrival of verification equipment at the Lake Ngozi project site, which is expected to generate 70 megawatts of electricity, Dr Mataragio instructed that all project equipment be procured and delivered to the site immediately.

Additionally, he said that the implementation of geothermal projects is also outlined in the National Energy Compact, which runs until 2030, where Tanzania is expected to produce 130 megawatts of electricity from geothermal resources.

He also said that the National Development Vision 2050 directs the country to diversify its power generation sources.

ALSO READ: Seismic survey scheme benefits Lindi, Mtwara residents

For his part, the General Manager of TGDC Eng, Mathew Mwangomba, stated that the government’s directives will be implemented efficiently to ensure the project is completed on time.

Moreover, speaking on the verification progress, he noted that the geothermal resource assessment has reached 60 percent toward achieving the target reserve.