Geothermal Exploration Advancement in Djibouti

Abstract

The Republic of Djibouti is located within an exceptional geodynamic situation, the Afar Depression, an emerged triple junction of the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and East African rifts, where volcanic and tectonic activity occurs since 30 My, and numerous current and past hydrothermal activities are identified mostly in the Western part of the country. Twelve prospects are recognized from which there are Asal rift, lake Abhe and others. Although geothermal explorations began from the early 1970s, the generation of the geothermal energy is still at the stage of programming. Given that energy is a key sector for the economical and social development of the country to alleviate poverty, the Government of the Republic of Djibouti is strongly committed in developping as much as possible the geothermal resources. Over the years 2000, Djibouti conducted a significant policy of capacity building of CERD, the national research center, in order to give the capability to prepare faisability studies reports for the geothermal prospects. As a results CERD has launched such studies on the Djibouti aquifer thermal anomalies and the prospect of Nord- Goubhet. In addition, being active for the promotion of the geothermal energy, private sector has been involved on different geothermal prospects: Asal rift and lake Abhe.