Track: Energy
Abstract
Geothermal energy has potential to be used as a clean renewable energy source to power the nation. This study evaluates the techno-economic assessment for setting up a 10-megawatt (MW) geothermal electricity based plant in Lubimbi, Zimbabwe. Neohexane was chosen as the conversion organic fluid of geothermal brine to geothermal electricity at 73 ?. A total investment of approximately USD 40 million is required to establish the 10 MW plant with a plant life of 30 years. An off-taker tariff of USD 0.14/kwh against a leveled cost of production of USD0.08 was proposed. A rate of return of 3.2% and a payback period of 7 years was achieved. The proposed development will contribute 0.5% to the energy requirements in the country.