Shakiru Idrissa Kajugus GRÓ GTP alumnus: A Leader in Tanzania's Geothermal Development
Shakiru Idrissa Kajugus, GRÓ Geothermal Training Programme (GRÓ GTP) alumnus and MSc Scholarship recipient from Tanzania, is dedicated to harnessing the country’s geothermal potential to drive sustainable energy development. As Director of Business Development at TGDC (Tanzania Geothermal Development Company Limited) Shakiru is leveraging his training and experience to overcome challenges in the geothermal sector. The TGDC is about to drill Tanzania’s first deep geothermal well at Ngozi, one of the country’s most promising geothermal fields, in the southwestern part of the country.
Geothermal has gotten deep into my veins
Shakiru says his experience at GRÓ GTP was transformative, allowing him to assess and evaluate Tanzania's geothermal resources effectively. “The GRÓ GTP training remains a cornerstone of my career path. Not only did I gain geothermal expertise, but it also established me as a good leader and a professional”. Furthermore, Shakiru says the programme inspired him to seek additional training opportunities and he has attended seminars in many other countries to improve his knowledge and skills.
Shakiru’s journey with the GRÓ GTP (then UNU GTP) began when he participated in the annual four-week training course at Naivasha in Kenya in 2009. “That was the first time. I fell in love with geothermal completely and I said to myself that I want to live a geothermal life,” says Shakiru. He was working at the research department of TANESCO, the national electricity utility company of Tanzania, and was working on different renewable energy sources such as hydro, geothermal, biomass, wind and solar. “I am pro all renewable energy, but geothermal has gotten deep into my veins,” he says.
Reservoir engineering an important skill for Tanzania
Shakiru participated in the 6-month GRÓ GTP fellowship in 2012, specializing in reservoir engineering. His comprehensive understanding of geothermal systems was further enhanced with his GRÓ GTP scholarship. Shakiru graduated in 2015 with a MSc in Reservoir Engineering from the University of Iceland.
“As my country was trying to venture into geothermal development, I though it was prudent to focus on reservoir engineering. I knew that with a deeper understanding of the subject I could help my country back home assess and evaluate the geothermal potential for development and eventually to utilize the geothermal resources. When I was choosing the subject, I noticed that most of the professionals seem to avoid the subject as it is a little tough and challenging, but I always enjoy challenges,” he says.
When Shakiru returned to Tanzania after completing his master’s, he joined TGDC, that had only been in operation for one year, as a senior engineer. TGDC is a public company fully owned by TANESCO. Shakiru has since held various managerial positions at TGDC, including Manager of Planning and Projects and Manager of Research and Innovations, and has occasionally served as acting General Manager/CEO of TGDC.
Today he serves as Director of Business Development at TGDC. “I provide leadership and strategic direction to the organization’s strategic planning, business development and performance management, which are in line with the nation’s geothermal development plans.” The Directorate is responsible for strategic planning, resource mobilization from different sources, as well as to coordinate and manage project implementation and performance. The department also has a section on research and innovations, which acts as a company “think tank”. The Directorate is also responsible for the overall environmental and social management, as well as compliance of the projects.
First deep geothermal drilling about to start
Shakiru says geothermal development in Tanzania is still at the early stages and that it faces many challenges. “Geothermal development in Tanzania is still a new venture for the government and the country at large. It is a risky undertaking at the early stages of development where massive investments are required, with a lot of uncertainties involved. Also researches and studies take time and much precaution is needed. So a “one-step-at-a-time” approach is needed,” says Shakiru. He says finding the financial resources can also be a challenge as many government and development partners are afraid of the risks involved. “At some point it is necessary to “jump” to prove that investing in geothermal, a green and sustainable energy resource, is good not only for the environment, but also for the societies as a whole. Engaging stakeholder at this point is a really a huge mountain to climb. Most people always want to walk away from risk or at least venture in a calculated risk.
But here we are now, TGDC is now about to drill its first geothermal deeper well at one of the most promising geothermal fields, known as Ngozi geothermal project, located in the SW of Tanzania.” The area is in the Rungwe complex volcanic province, at the EARS triple junction, where the African tectonic plate splits into new sub plates. Shakiru says the drilling is supported and financed by various sources including the Tanzanian Government and TANESCO. Various development partners have also supported the project, including GRMF, JICA, GRÓ GTP, Ministry for Foreign Affair of Iceland, UNEP, BGR, EAGER and more.
“Another, challenge, is the lack of geothermal experts and limited awareness of our relevant stakeholders such as decision makers and service providers. We have realised the challenge and try to navigate through it by engaging many external and internal stakeholders at different levels.” He says the short course the GRÓ GTP holds annually with Kenyan energy companies in the Naivasha region in Kenya, as well as the GRÓ Geothermal Training Programme and scholarship programme have been very important. He says that since attending the GRÓ GTP he has been inspired to help other young geothermal professionals tap into opportunities that arise and that training many experts from the same country helps to deliver real impact. In total, 24 geothermal experts from Tanzania have been trained at the GRÓ GTP and 6 have received a postgraduate scholarship.
GRÓ GTP: Opportunity to create a better life for the next generations
Adjusting to life in Iceland was both exciting and challenging for Shakiru. “The weather was the very first experience. I have never felt such cold temperatures in my life, which may be seen as a negative experience, but I saw it as a new challenge and I am very happy to appreciate what is happening at another side of the world,” he says.
“I regard Iceland as my second home. I hold great memories from Iceland, both for my personal life and career. In my personal life, both of my lovely kids were born while I was in Iceland. The first child was born while I was doing my six months training and the second was born while I was in the MSc programme. So, Iceland will always be a part of our life history. I hope that one day I can take my kids to visit Iceland to complete their history. For my career, GRÓ GTP has helped me shape my knowledge and skills, which has elevated my career and professionalism.”
Shakiru fondly recalls the camaraderie he built with the other fellows. “I have a good connection with my cohort and most of us have remained good friends since our lives in Iceland. We have been sharing a lot, not only on professional and geothermal related matters, but also on a personal level. It is amazing to have these strong bonds even after departing more than ten years ago,” he reflects.
When Shakiru came back to Iceland for his Masters he decided to learn to swim. “I told myself that I am not going back to Tanzania if I don’t know how to swim. I saw it as unacceptable not to know how to swim, when there are so many hot water swimming pools all over Reykjavík. Thanks to my Icelandic friends I know how to swim. I am lucky as I graduated my swim class before I graduated with my MSc.”
Shakiru offers valuable advice for current GRÓ fellows: “Do not take the opportunity for granted as it is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Your countries depend on you, and you can create a better life for the next generations.”
