Community-Based Geothermal Development Perspective in Afar.

Abstract

Afar is one of the most promising regions in the World as far as high enthalpy geothermal resource is concerned. It is the only place on the planet Earth where an oceanic rift is penetrating a continent. Fumaroles, steam vents, hot-springs and hot grounds are very common. If the arid induce rather salty geothermal fluids, the nearby basement escarpments also allow for a recharge of the geothermal reservoirs by meteoritic waters. The awareness concerning Afar geothermal resources developed in the early 70’s but the local interest of the local communities for the economic development under climate change conditions is new. Several community-based economic entities have since been created, notably in the lower Awash Valley basin and in Nov 2014 the Afar Geothermal Development Company (AGAPI) was created. It was an initiative of 12 Afar communities. They share the capital (of 2 Million Ethiopian Birrs). AGAPI has selected several sites for potential development, based on a study of the geological resources and of the social demand. This approach has enabled defining priorities, and currently two sites are under investigation for the implementation of pre-feasibility and feasibility studies. AGAPI also intends to answer the energy needs of developers engaged in the region (agro-industries, mining activities, railway line, raw materials and mineral processing, etc…). In addition, AGAPI intends to facilitate geothermal investments in the Afar region and to develop partnerships with enterprises engaged in geothermal development and hope this project will benefit from the UN SEforALL, (sustainable energy for al initiative as it clearly answers this challenge.