Mapping Biomass Energy Potential From Agricultural Residues in Tanzania

Abstract

Tanzania, like many countries in sub-Saharan Africa, faces significant challenges in meeting its growing energy demands while simultaneously promoting sustainable development. Biomass energy, derived from agricultural residues, has emerged as a promising alternative to fossil fuels, offering a range of economic, social, and environmental benefits. This paper presents a comprehensive assessment of the biomass energy potential from agricultural residues in Tanzania. The analysis incorporates data on crop production and residue generation to estimate the potential contribution of agricultural residues to the national energy mix. GIS was utilized to map the spatial distribution of the biomass energy potential. The data were obtained from multiple sources, including national surveys and existing literature. Thirteen mostly grown crops in Tanzania (maize, paddy, sorghum, cassava, groundnut, sunflower, sesame, banana, cotton, tobacco, coffee, sugarcane, and coconut) were selected for this study. The results of the study indicate that Tanzania has significant untapped potential for biomass energy from agricultural residues of about 135PJ/year only from the selected crops. The highest potential is in the central and southern regions of the country. The study concludes with policy recommendations for promoting the sustainable utilization of agricultural residues for energy production. These include the development of appropriate technologies for small-scale farmers, the establishment of incentives for biomass production, and the promotion of public-private partnerships for the development of biomass energy projects. The research contributes to the growing body of literature on renewable energy in Africa and provides valuable insights for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners working in the energy and agricultural sectors.