Country Update Report for Zambia

Abstract

Zambia hosts a number of geological structures that are recognised as being prospective for geothermal energy. Historic work has included regional reconnaissance and the installation of a geothermal pilot power plant. The Country’s current move to diversify from near total reliance on hydro-power, and concurrently both increase generating capacity to redress a significant power deficit and increase power distribution, together with a favourable regulatory environment, has created the opportunity to further investigate the Country’s geothermal potential. At a National level, systematic geothermal resource mapping and exploration is being advocated, but which requires capacity building. Meanwhile, Kalahari GeoEnergy Ltd, a private company has conducted extensive exploration at Bwengwa River, which lies within the Kafue Trough, Southern Zambia, where a medium-low enthalpy geothermal energy resource of 10-20MW has been established, which has the characteristics of a technically viable geothermal power production resource. Results indicate that similar structures elsewhere in the basin are prospective for additional geothermal resources similar to that at Bwengwa River.