Geothermal Status in Burundi

Abstract

Many surveys have carried out regarding the geothermal locations and characterizations between 1969 to 2013. These studies addressing status of the nature of geothermal resources in the Great Lakes region: Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda with a long-term goal aiming the use of the resources for electricity generation or other uses. These investigations have divided the geothermal areas of Burundi into three categories: (1)Surface temperature of 30 - 40°C (away from the rift), (2) Surface temperature around 48°C in the middle of the Rift Valley and (3) surface temperatures around 68°C in the northern part of the Rift Valley. These studies are not delineating the subsurface temperatures of the geothermal systems. All these temperatures are low temperature for the electricity generation. The assessment of the temperature gradient is necessary to confirm the temperature of the reservoir at depth for the feasibility studies. However, the major disadvantage of geothermal energy is that it requires expensive cost relevant to explorations studies. Before to get these funds, the municipalities of some geothermal resources areas with low temperatures have build the spas balneology, bathing and tourism place where many people visit and increase the economy of those municipalities.