By Ahmed Al-Amin, University of Sebha
Exploring the untapped potential for geothermal energy production and export in southern Libya represents a golden opportunity that could revolutionise the region’s energy sector.
The growing global demand for electricity underscores the importance of switching to sustainable and environmentally-friendly energy sources. Geo- thermal energy, extracted from the subsurface of the earth to generate energy and heat, stands out as a clean, reliable and cost-effective source in this context.
With growing concerns about environmental degradation and energy security, the adoption of renewable energy solutions such as geothermal energy is gaining momentum around the world
In southern Libya, the development of geothermal energy can play a decisive role in meeting the region’s energy needs in various ways.
Geologically-active areas in the region offer promising opportunities for geothermal projects, which can revolutionise local communities
by providing sustainable solutions for a wide variety of needs such as power generation, industrial projects, agriculture, air-conditioning and heating. This would have a positive and radical impact on local economies and livelihoods.
Geothermal energy can be used in electricity generation, as it can be combined with conventional steam plants to reduce the energy used to produce the steam. It can also be combined with solar power projects to produce solar/thermal power plants, reducing the area of solar collectors used to heat water. Moreover, geothermal can be included in conventional generating stations, reducing production costs. It can also be employed directly in agriculture for heating greenhouses as well as for heating or cooling buildings using absorption cooling.
In addition, geothermal can be deployed in industrial processes such
as drying food products and in other industries, reducing production costs. Many other African countries have taken advantage of their own geothermal reservoirs to achieve energy independence and reduce expensive energy imports.
Exploring the untapped potential for geothermal energy production and export in the south of Libya represents a golden opportunity that could revolutionise the region’s energy sector. Geothermal energy, known for its cleanness, sustainability and affordability, has the potential to reduce dependence on traditional fossil fuels. Given the high hydrocarbon prices and the urgent need to address climate change, it is necessary for southern Libya to drill deeper into the field of geothermal energy.
In one of the studies to assess the system, it was found that at depths of even less than 1,000 metres in the geothermal system in the Sirte Basin, the temperatures and heat flow values ranged from 40o Celsius to more than 60o. Another report showed that geothermal energy sources in Waddan have the potential to meet many of the local community’s energy needs. Research indicates that they could provide direct electricity generation, including much of what is needed for significant air-conditioning usage.
It was shown, too, that geothermal energy could be used in hybrid power stations, relying on both geothermal and gas. The study proposed a hybrid power station, using both natural gas and thermal energy, to produce 128 MW, there by providing Waddan and nearby villages with a sustainable, reliable energy supply.
These data represent a major opportunity to harness geothermal energy in southern Libya. There are high-temperature water wells in the south, for example in Qatroun,
Sokna and Waddan and these wells are spread in important basins such as Kufra Basin and Murzuq Basin. But further studies are needed to establish the potential from thermal energy. These locations also have enormous solar power, which makes it possible to combine the two types of energy to reduce energy production costs.
A power boost eor the south
Because of the diverse energy resources such as solar, oil, gas, wind, geothermal, as well as the strategic geographical location that connects the various regional energy networks, southern Libya has a huge potential to make a significant contribution to the regional energy market. Specialised companies focused on geothermal projects can play a pivotal role in unlocking the potential of geothermal energy in the south of the country. These firms bring valuable experience in creating efficient and sustainable geothermal energy projects that can empower local communities, while enriching the overall energy landscape of the region.
In short, geothermal energy in southern Libya is of enormous importance to the region because it provides a level of efficiency that makes it a viable option for sustainable energy generation.
The potential locations of geothermal projects offer many opportunities to harness this environmentally friendly and renewable energy resource. And although there are initial costs associated with the creation of geothermal projects, the long-term advantages outweigh that initial investment. The impact of geothermal energy on communities in the south of Libya could be profound, as access to reliable and sustainable energy sources can boost living standards and spur economic development. Through strategic investments in geothermal energy projects and collaborative partnerships with industry professionals, southern Libya can unleash its true potential as a major renewable energy player in Africa.
