Date: Wed, 25 Feb 2015 06:06:04 -0700
http://www.tesfanews.net/harnessing-the-geothermal-potential-of-eritrea/#uSacEFhiXhtVasim.01
By *ARGeo <http://thinkgeoenergy.com/archives/23463>*,
*UNITED* Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has thrown its weight behind
Eritrea’s vision of advancing clean energy development in the country.
Through the GEF Funded African Rift Geothermal Development Facility project
(ARGeo) which promotes geothermal resource exploration, development
and utilization in African countries, UNEP is engaged in supporting Eritrea
(an ‘ARGeo country’) through the Ministry of Mines and Energy, in the
geothermal resource development particularly in the surface exploration of
*Alid* geothermal prospect in Eritrea.
The results of this study will provide information on location of target
sites for drilling and minimizes risk of drilling dry wells while
maximizing the chance of productive wells.
The project will assist Eritrea in preparing the proposal for the financial
support from the Geothermal Risk Mitigation Facility (GRMF) of the African
Union Commission – German Development Bank (KfW) for subsequent drilling.
*Geothermal Energy: The future is now*
Geothermal energy development in Eritrea have an important input in
alleviating expenditure on foreign currency while safeguarding the
environment from adverse impact of fossil fuels.
In this context, a joint UNEP – ICEIDA (Icelandic International
Development Agency) team visited Eritrea in January 2015. The main
objective was to discuss with high level delegates and with geothermal
stakeholders in Eritrea on implementing “surface exploration studies” in
the Alid geothermal prospect in the framework of the ARGeo project.
image:
http://www.tesfanews.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/ARGeo-countries1.jpg
The team had successful meetings (and a field visit to Alid) with His
Excellency General Sebhat Efrem (Minister of energy and Mines) and his
team. In addition, important discussions were held on Eritrea hosting of
the 6th ARGeo biennial conference (ARGeo-C6) in 2016 and private developers.
*Implementation Plan:*
In consultation with the Eritrean team, the UNEP – ICEIDA team developed a
detailed implementation plan of the Alid studies.
The Ministry of Energy and Mines including various stakholders affirmed
their continuous leadership, engagement and support for effective and
efficient implementation of the surface studies in Alid as well as in
hosting of the ARGeo C6 in Eritrea in October 2016.
Ibrahim I. Suliman
(image/jpeg attachment: ARGeo-Eritrea-visit.jpg)