GEOTHERMAL DEVELOPMENT IN UGANDA

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1 GEOTHERMAL DEVELOPMENT IN UGANDA Uganda is a geothermal country due to its geological location. It is endowed with a rift valley which is an extensional zone with a thinned earth crust. The thinned crust fractured and is associated with high heat flow. The thermal zone underneath heats the earths crust. Surface dense water descends through fractures to deeper hot levels, where is heated. Heated water becomes less dense and rises to surface where it appears as hot springs. There are several other surface features which indicate geothermal resources. Fractures favour fluid flow. Geothermal Energy Policy There are technical and non-technical barriers affecting geothermal industry development in Uganda. The Ministry is currently on the process of formulating a geothermal energy policy to address these issues and attract investment in the geothermal sector. Government is being supported by Climate Technology Centre and Network. The Ministry has undertaken several awareness and information field trips to raise public understanding of geothermal and its applications like power production and several downstream applications. Institutional Framework The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development was restructured and a Department of Geothermal Resources was established under the Directorate of Geological Survey and Mines. This will steer the development of Geothermal Resources in Uganda. The Ministry is putting in place structures and processes for the new Department. To develop staff for the geothermal sector, the Ministry has undertaken education and training in Iceland, New Zealand, Japan, Italy and Kenya. This has been complemented with in-house training to put in place a skilled geothermal workforce.

2 Photo: JICA Consultants training Ugandan geologist. Geothermal Exploration Surveys Photo: Field Training of Ugandan Scientists. The Ministry has undertaken a nationwide survey of all known geothermal sites. A comprehensive inventory has been made complimented by preliminary assessment. Detailed surveys are being undertaken at Kibiro (Hoima), Panyimur (Nebbi), Buranga (Bundibugyo) and Katwe (Kasese). The predrilling surveys are aimed at locating drilling targets which will be subjected to exploration drilling very soon. All of the four sites are fault-bounded geothermal systems whereby fluid flow is controlled by main rift border faults and heat source is related high flow due to thinned earth crust.

3 Photo: Uganda Geologists mapping Katwe field. Photo: Sampling gases Government of Uganda has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Kenya for the latter to help Uganda expedite development of its geothermal resources. Geothermal Development Company (GDC) of Kenya is implementing this MoU on behalf of Kenya. Ministry staff has visited GDC facilities in Kenya to leverage on their experience in geothermal development. GDC is soon undertaking surveys in Kibiro to locate drilling targets. UNEP-ARGeo is also synergising this effort through procuring more survey equipment and providing high level experts. Licensing and Regulation Currently fourteen geothermal sites have been licensed to private developers. These include AAE Systems Inc. Cozumel Energy Limited, Gids Consult Limited, Pawakom International Limited, Clean Source Energy Limited, Moberge Finance Limited. These Companies are undertaking surveys to locate drilling targets. Uganda Electricity Generation Company Limited has expressed interest to acquire a geothermal exploration licence to undertake a Government-led exploration to diversify Uganda s energy mix and mitigate unmet power demands.

4 Procurement of Survey Equipment Photo: Geothermal Power plant in Japan. The Ministry has procured breakthrough deep penetrating survey equipment to do a government-led exploration. These modern equipments will image the sub-surface up to 5km to locate the geothermal reservoir for sub-sequent test drilling. The Staff have undergone hands-on training in use of this equipment. The equipment will aid in Government-led exploration. Health and Safety Geothermal energy is associated with risks of gases and hot water. The Ministry has trained its staff on health and safety issues. The Ministry has acquired healthy and safety equipment which includes gas monitors, safety shoes, masks and eye goggles. The Ministry is undertaking environmental baseline survey in areas with geothermal potential. This will be used during geothermal development. Human Capital Development Together with ICIEDA, the Government has trained several staff at UNU-GTP Reykjavik, Iceland. The training is also undertaken at Naivasha, Kenya. African Center of Geothermal Excellence has been established at Nakuru, Kenya. So far 6 staff has undergone on-the-job training at the Center. JICA has also trained several Ugandan at Fukuoka, Japan. Others have trained in Italy and New Zealand. Downstream applications of geothermal energy Photo: Training of local Scientists. Besides power production, geothermal energy can be used for several applications. Drying agricultural products can enhance food security. Dried fish can have a shelf life of two years.

5 Photo: Fish drying using geothermal.