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USTDA supporting Akiira Geothermal project in Kenya

USTDA supporting Akiira Geothermal project in Kenya Drilling rig at Akiira (Courtesy of MunichRE)
Alexander Richter 21 Sep 2016

The Akiira Geothermal project in Kenya will receive a grant from a the US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) as part of a larger support program for Kenya energy development.

During the recently held U.S.-Africa Business Forum, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency launched its largest single investment in Kenya’s power sector to date. At a ceremony witnessed by the Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya, the Honorable William Ruto, and Power Africa Coordinator Andrew Herscowitz, USTDA Director Leocadia I. Zak announced support for six projects that will identify U.S. solutions that can help increase access to affordable, reliable electricity across Kenya and help diversify the country’s energy mix.

As part of the package, USTDA and its Kenyan partners agreed to support one geothermal project in Kenya.

USTDA will partner with Akiira Geothermal Limited to assess the viability of a 70 MW geothermal power plant northwest of Nairobi. Successful implementation of the project would provide clean, base-load renewable power and support Kenya’s participation in the regional power pool. USTDA Director Zak and Mr. Paul Stroud, a Board Member of Akiira Geothermal Limited, signed the grant agreement.

It is not clear how much the grant is that Akiira Geothermal will receive from USTDA.

Source: USTDA