The Fantale Geothermal Development Project, Ethiopia – an Update

Abstract

Cluff Geothermal Limited (CG) was awarded the Fantale Geothermal Exploration Licence in July 2015. The licence area is principally sited to take advantage of suspected high-enthalpy resources, totalling 400 MWe, associated with Mt. Fantale, a prominent stratovolcano situated within the Main Ethiopian Rift near the town of Metehara. Since licence award, CG has undertaken a detailed surface studies campaign, the most significant milestone being the successful completion of a 246-station magnetotelluric (MT) survey in early 2016. All data have been collated and independently reviewed to produce a conceptual model of the subsurface, from which a series of exploratory drilling targets have been identified, and a conceptual development plan for an initial 150 MWe of geothermal development devised. Confirmation of drilling activities remains subject to the signing of a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) and Implementation Agreement (IA).