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Update of Geothermal Developments

There are two major geothermal energy developments currently under consideration in Zambia. The first one is the Kapisya Geothermal Project, located in Sumbu on the shores of Lake Tanganyika. A pilot plant was built after prospecting by the Zambian Geological Survey in conjunction with DAL SpA (Italy) in 1986, which found the Kapisya Hot Springs favourable for commercial development.The plant has fifteen shallow exploratory and production wells; submersible pumps have been installed in four of them. Two Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) turbogenerators, with a nominal capacity of 200 kW, have been installed. Unfortunately, the construction of the transmission line to carry the electricity to the surrounding communities and to boost the fishing and tourist industries, although planned for 1989, has been delayed due to insufficient funds. The second project involves the development of a health resort and the potential construction of a geothermal power plant providing cheap electric power to the local community at Chinyunyu Hot Springs, 50 kilometres east of Lusaka on the Great East Road. This project is being undertaken by the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA), in conjunction with the Zambian Geological Survey. This project remains in the planning stages due to lack of funds.