British firms to formulate strategy for development of geothermal resources in Tanzania
Mt. Meru, Arusha, Tanzania (source: flickr/ Roman Boed, creative commons)
Alexander Richter
5 Apr 2017
The Government of Tanzania has appointed a consortium led by global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright with partners including Carbon Counts, GeothermEx, Economic Consulting Associates to formulate a strategy for the development of geothermal energy resources in Tanzania.
As announced last week, global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright has been appointed by the Government of Tanzania, through the Tanzania Geothermal Development Company (TGDC), a subsidiary of the state-owned electricity supplier, TANESCO, to formulate a strategy for the development of geothermal energy resources in Tanzania. The initiative is funded by a grant from the Strategic Climate Fund, which is administered by the African Development Bank.
The appointment entails working with the Government and its relevant institutions as well as other stakeholders in Tanzania over the next six months to reach a recommended legal, institutional and regulatory framework which will best enable the country to develop its geothermal resources.
The Norton Rose Fulbright team is being led by partner, Richard Metcalf in London and senior associate, Laura Kiwelu, in East Africa.
Richard Metcalf comments: “With over 10 years of experience on power deals across the energy mix in Tanzania, including advising on regulatory structures, we are well placed to work with TGDC and other parties on this project. We hope to assist in creating a robust framework which will see Tanzania replicating other successful geothermal projects in the region and achieve its development targets.”
A Government representative comments: “We see unlocking Tanzania’s potential in geothermal energy as key to providing a stable and renewable energy source to power Tanzania for generations to come. As part of a diverse energy mix, it will assist Tanzania in reaching its electrification target rate of 75% by 2035. We look forward to working with Norton Rose Fulbright and the other consultants to make our bold ambitions for the future of Tanzania a reality.”
The project team working with Norton Rose Fulbright to develop the framework includes: Carbon Counts, a UK energy and climate change consultancy; GeothermEx Inc., a specialist US geothermal consultancy; Economic Consulting Associates, a UK economic and regulatory advisory firm; and Neema Siwingwa, a Tanzanian development finance specialist.
Norton Rose Fulbright opened an office in Dar es Salaam in 2012 to be able to work even closer with clients looking to access and develop in the region, and the office has a particular focus on the energy sector.Throughout 2015 and 2016 the firm also expanded its footprint in East Africa by entering into strategic alliances with leading law firms with offices in Burundi, Kenya, Uganda and Zimbabwe.
Source: Release by North Rose Fulbright and ECA
