Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Comores Infos
Published on 2024-03-02 15:26:23
The financial mobilization for the establishment of a geothermal power plant at Karthala, a precursor to an era without power cuts in the Comoros, is approaching its final goal. With a significant contribution already secured by international partners and the African Development Bank, the project promises to revolutionize the national energy supply.
The ambitious project to exploit geothermal energy at the Karthala volcano is making decisive steps towards realization. With a budget of 20 billion francs for exploratory drilling, the Comorian government, in collaboration with international partners such as the Gef and the Pnud, has already secured a significant portion of the necessary funding. The African Development Bank’s contribution, amounting to 12 billion francs, marks a major turning point, promising to accelerate the project. A mission from the AfDB is expected in Moroni to finalize preparations.
This geothermal power plant project, harnessing the underground heat of Karthala, envisions an initial production phase of 10 MW, capable of saving up to 8 billion Comorian francs annually in energy subsidies. Besides the economic benefits, the project stands out for its ecological potential, with an estimated reduction of 1.8 million tons of CO2 equivalent per year. This development supports the Comoros’ commitments in the Paris climate agreement, while preparing the necessary legal and regulatory framework for geothermal exploitation.
The success of this project could mean access to up to 45 MW of geothermal energy for the Comoros, with a total investment of $118 million covering exploration, infrastructure construction, and plant installation. With an estimated lifespan of 30 years, this geothermal initiative promises a sustainable and environmentally friendly energy source for the country.
ANTUF Chaharane
Read the original article(French) on Comores Infos
