Abstract

Mwananyamala geothermal prospect is located in the coastal region of Kenya within Kwale District. Evidence of existence of a geothermal resource in the prospect is commonly manifested as hot springs, referred by locals as ‘Maji Moto’ with temperatures ranging between 55°C and 70°C, alongside mildly altered grounds, with secondary minerals such as chalcopyrite, pyrite and calcite. Other manifestations occur in form of limited spread Fimbristylis exilis, informally known us ‘geothermal grass’, especially at hot spring areas. The hot springs occur in faulted areas and the rocks are mainly dominated with Permo-Triassic sandstones. These hot springs discharge slightly alkaline NaCl-NaHCO3 waters from underground, suggesting the springs are most likely being controlled underneath by an intrusive hot body. This paper focuses on the direct use opportunities in Mwananyamala geothermal prospect, best practice of multi-stage utilization where successive lower and lower water temperature are used to maximize benefits focusing on regional economic activities, generation designs as well as equipment and fiscal considerations.