Geothermal planned to fuel growing energy demand in Djibouti and Ethiopia
Djibouti, Ethiopia, World Bank, Corbetti, Geothermal, IDA, AFD, Reykjavik Geothermal,
Alexander Richter
20 May 2014
Four full-size geothermal production wells are planned in Djibouti and the $2-billion Corbetti Geothermal Power Project in Ethiopia is expected to start in July.
Djibouti and Ethiopia due to increasing demand for electricity and wanting to keep a sustainable portfolio of energy sources are focusing on developing new geothermal power capacities.
In Djibouti, there are four full-size geothermal production wells planned and the World Bank is currently disclosing more details about the contractors that have been selected to carry out said wells. According to the news source, “the actual drilling of the four wells is co-financed by Global Environment Facility, the OPEC Fund for International Development and the World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA)”. Other financial institutions such as the French Agence Française de Développement (AFD) will take care of financing the materials and the inspection will be addressed by Energy Sector Management Assistance Programme.
This project will be developed on a public/private partnership and has the aim of reducing Djibouti’s dependence on foreign electric importation.
Regarding Ethiopia, there is the 2-billion dollar Corbetti Geothermal Power Project, expected to start this July, that will be carried out by Reykjavik Geothermal. The country obtains its electricity mostly via hydroelectric generation, and according to Reykjavik Geothermal this summer, the works for the aforementioned project will commence that has a projected output of 500 MW.
Source: Engineering News Record Website
