Geothermal project in Zambia, Africa receives USTDA grant for feasibility study
Early exploration drilling on site in Zambia (source: Kalahari GeoEnergy)
Parker O'Halloran
14 Jun 2017
Zambian and U.S. companies cooperating to bring first geothermal power plant to Zambia.
In a release yesterday, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) signed a grant with Kalahari GeoEnergy Limited, a Zambian geothermal development company, for a feasibility study supporting the development of a 10-20 MW geothermal power plant.
Kalahari GeoEnergy selected the California-based Geologica Geothermal Group to carry out the study, which will provide technical and environmental analyses needed to advance the project. The plant, which is expected to be the first geothermal generation facility in Zambia, will add new renewable energy capacity to the Zambian grid and will expand access to reliable electricity.
“This grant is an endorsement of the work Kalahari GeoEnergy has conducted to date, and of the Bwengwa River geothermal resource, which we can now validate as a source of stable sustainable power,” said Peter Vivian-Neal, CEO of Kalahari GeoEnergy. “This type of power source is essential for economic development.”
“USTDA is excited to support this new project, which will expand access to reliable electricity in Zambia,” said Lida Fitts, USTDA’s Regional Director for Sub-Saharan Africa. “This project represents an excellent opportunity for U.S. businesses to export technologies and services in support of Zambia’s infrastructure goals.”
U.S. Ambassador to Zambia, Eric Schultz, signed the grant on behalf of USTDA, at a ceremony at the U.S. Embassy in Lusaka, along with Peter Vivian-Neal, CEO of Kalahari GeoEnergy.
This grant is part of $1.5 million established in relatively equal parts for two Zambian companies, Kalahari Geo-Energy and a Zambian mini-grid development company.”
For more information please follow these links:
US envoy tips Zambia to be major exporter of power
Source: USTDA
