Djibouti - Geothermal Exploration Project in the Lake Assal Region - Supplementary Grant II


Project Summary

Approval Date 15 Jan 2020
Signature Date 03 Jun 2020
Planned Completion Date 30 Apr 2024
Last Disbursement Planned Date 30 Apr 2024
Sovereign / Non-Sovereign Sovereign
Sector Power
DAC Sector Code 23630
Environmental Category 1
Commitment U.A 2,360,000
Status Implementation

Project General Description

The proposed operation concerns a UA 2.36 million ADF grant to the Republic of Djibouti for the second supplementary financing of the Geothermal exploration project in the Lake Assal region. The geothermal exploration project in the Lake Assal region was approved by the Bank in 2013 in a context where access to electricity was relatively limited in Djibouti (50% access rate). It comprises the exploration of the Lake Assal geothermal steam field and confirmation of the characteristics of the geothermal resources. Ultimately, the project will contribute to: (i) building the first geothermal power plant in Djibouti; (ii) increasing clean energy generation capacity; (iii) increasing the people’s access to electricity through a more reliable and affordable source of energy; (iv) reducing oil imports by 214 000 barrels of oil annually; and (v) reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 250 000 tons of CO2 annually. Thus, it will facilitate the improvement of the quality of life for the people of Djibouti. A supplementary loan of UA 10.74 million from the African Development Fund was approved to the project on 02 May 2018 to cover: (i) the cost of drilling the third well, including the non-funded activities of the first two wells; and (ii) the cost of additional consultancy services and conduct of a feasibility study on the development of a geothermal power plant. The execution of the three wells, Fialé-1, Fialé2 and Fialé-3, has been completed. All the wells were tested except Fialé-3 due to over budget. The mobilisation of additional resources will enable the project to clean up Fialé-2 and conduct further tests for all the wells in order to collect sufficiently reliable data for the feasibility study with an acceptable risk profile to attract potential investors for the development of a geothermal power plant at a reasonable electricity selling price. This second supplementary financing will facilitate the acceleration of the second phase of the project, which is the development of the geothermal power plant.

Project Objectives

The project is part of a geothermal energy development programme aimed at improving the quality of life for Djibouti's population by increasing access to electricity through an expansion of the national energy production capacity. The specific project objectives are to: (i) increase the green energy generation capacity; (ii) reduce oil imports; and (iii) reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Beneficiaries

Generally, the main project beneficiaries are the entire population of Djibouti since the project will ultimately and substantially increase the production of reliable, clean and low-cost electricity in the country. With the subsequent reduction in energy costs, poor households will be the direct project beneficiaries.

Participating Organization

Funding
African Development Fund
Implementing
GOUVERMENT DE DJIBOUTI MINISTERE DE L'ECON. DES FIN. ET DE LA PLANIFICATION

Information

IATI identifier 46002-P-DJ-FA0-004
Last Update 25 Mar 2023

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Contact Details

Name Moussa KONE
Email m.o.kone@afdb.org

Geographic Location

Country Djibouti
Coordinates Location Name
11.57639 42.67194 Baddi Guera