U.S. Government Coordinator for the Power Africa Initiative said the Corbetti Geothermal Project that is being built in Ethiopia displays the priority the country gives for the energy sector.
During a televised conference he held with journalists from sub-Saharan Africa countries, Andrew Herscowitz said the Power Africa Initiative has been exerting efforts to discharge the electric energy demand of the countries by carrying out various projects with private investors.
The Power Africa Initiative will also create favorable condition for investors to engage in the energy sector through undertaking feasibility studies, identifying opportunities for energy and creating strong relationship among government and investors, he added.
According to him, Corbetti Geothermal Project is expected to generate 500 MW and play vital role in the endeavor of Ethiopia to have enough access to energy in the country.
The government of Ethiopia has reached an agreement with Reykjavik Geothermal and Power Africa is striving to provide technical and consultancy assistance so that the companies will engage in the sector.
The US had allocated over one billion USD to increase power supply in sub-Saharan Africa countries with the cooperation of 40 companies. In addition to Corbetti Geothermal Project, which is under construction in Ethiopia, similar projects are underway in Tanzania and Nigeria, it was indicated.
The Corbetti project is part of the Power Africa Initiative announced by President Obama in 2013 which seeks to add more than 10,000 megawatts of cleaner, more efficient electricity in six priority countries in sub-Saharan Africa.
A key thrust of the Power Africa strategy is to accelerate the development of the vast and renewable geothermal potential in the Rift Valley which extends through both Ethiopia and Kenya.
[EthiopianNewsAgency]
[Image Source: www.usaid.gov]