An energy source called geothermal energy is hidden among Africa’s wide and diverse landscapes, just waiting to be discovered. Geothermal energy is becoming more and more intriguing as countries on the continent look for environmentally friendly ways to satisfy their growing energy needs. However, this resource is frequently underutilized.
With the inherent ability to capture Earth’s interior heat, Africa has a rare chance to diversify its energy sources, lessen its dependency on fossil fuels, and open the door to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future. Since the Earth’s interior heat is continuously created, geothermal energy is a dependable and steady energy source. It produces no greenhouse gases or air pollution, making it a clean and eco-friendly energy source.
In several nations worldwide, geothermal energy is a noteworthy renewable energy source. About 16.6 gigawatts (GW) of electricity were produced worldwide by geothermal power plants in 2019, accounting for 0.3% of all electricity generated worldwide.
By drawing on the enormous thermal energy reserves found beneath the Earth’s crust, geothermal energy captures the heat that exists throughout the planet. Africa has a significant potential for producing geothermal power due to its diverse geological features. If properly utilized, this potential might help spur sustainable development in addition to meeting the continent’s urgent energy requirements.
Geothermal potential in Africa is enormous, especially in the Rift Valley, which stretches from Malawi to the Horn of Africa. The Infrastructure Consortium and the United Nations Environment Program estimate that eastern Africa has more than 20 GW of geothermal possibilities.
Geothermal energy is a renewable energy source that uses heat from the Earth’s interior to produce power and heat. It is a renewable energy source that is safe for use in a range of commercial, industrial, and residential settings.
The heat of the Earth’s interior, which is continuously produced by radioactive elements decaying in the Earth’s core, is what produces geothermal energy. Geothermal power facilities are used to capture this heat and turn it into electricity. Geothermal heat pumps can also be utilized to directly use the heat for heating and cooling buildings and other facilities.
Kenya belongs to the top ten producers of geothermal energy worldwide and the top producer in Africa. Deeply down in the Rift Valley, geothermal steam presently produces 799 megawatts (MW) of electricity for the Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KENGEN). By 2030, however, the company hopes to achieve almost 50% of its power from geothermal energy.
Since the Earth’s interior heat is continuously created, geothermal energy is a dependable and steady energy source. It produces no greenhouse gases or air pollution, making it a clean and eco-friendly energy source.
The potential of geothermal energy in Africa
Given its geological features, Africa has a large potential for producing geothermal energy. The continent’s abundant geothermal resources are largely derived from the East African Rift System, which crosses multiple nations.
One of the most promising areas is the East African Rift System, which stretches from Mozambique to Ethiopia’s Afar Triangle. Large-scale geothermal reservoirs connected to volcanic activity and tectonic plate borders are present there.
The East African, Kenyan, and Ethiopian Rifts, among other volcanic locations, offer the perfect environment for the extraction of geothermal energy. These regions frequently feature permeable rock formations and significant heat flux, which make geothermal reservoirs effective.
Africa has access to a potentially enormous amount of renewable energy because of forces located far beneath the surface of the Earth and is responsible for this tectonic breakup. Heated steam and water are trapped beneath the surface of the Rift Valley at various locations due to molten magma movements. These geothermal resources can be brought to the surface, where geological circumstances permit, and used directly for heating or cooling systems or to generate power.
Geothermal energy is a dependable source of baseload electricity since it offers a constant and renewable power supply. This quality is essential for supplying the rising energy needs of African countries.
When compared to fossil fuels, geothermal power generation emits fewer greenhouse gases, which is consistent with international efforts to mitigate climate change. Geothermal energy presents a more environmentally friendly option for African nations looking to lessen their carbon footprint.
Geologically diverse phenomena seen throughout Africa, such as geysers, hot springs, and active volcanoes, suggest that different places have the capacity to produce geothermal energy. In Africa, geothermal energy is still mainly unexplored despite its enormous potential. There is still a lot of untapped potential for geothermal resources, which means there is room for more investment and use.
The development of geothermal energy in the area has been aided by foreign financing and the African Union Commission. Increased interest in the direct use of geothermal resources, rising cross-border infrastructure for energy transmission, rising electricity demand, and other factors combine to make Africa one of the sleeping giants of development activities in the years to come.
Geothermal projects will never have an easy ride ahead of them. In addition to the hazards associated with development, environmental issues must be handled. Drilling can release carbon dioxide, although the US Energy Information Agency states that these emissions are 99% less than those from comparable fossil fuel plants.
Beyond supplying the continent’s short-term electricity demands, geothermal energy in Africa offers a route forward for sustainable growth, environmental preservation, and increased energy security. Making geothermal energy a pillar of Africa’s energy future would require coordinated efforts in exploration, investment, and cooperation to realize this potential.
