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| (Courtesy CIA.gov) |
The Governments of Comoros, together with New Zealand and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), has signed an agreement to gradually develop geothermal energy usage in the Indian Ocean archipelago over the next six years.
The new initiative will aim to pool renewable energy directly from Mount Karthala, an active volcano which sits at the highest point of the Comoros, at 7,746 ft above sea level. Geothermal energy will complete the existing electricity grid and is expected to power households, private companies and government buildings.
The move will not only decrease carbon emissions, but it will also reduce the country’s dependence on imported fossil fuels. While generating long-term savings by reducing the costs associated with diesel purchases.
The exploration phase will last until May 2015. During that time, geologists, engineers, government and UN representatives will search for areas where the temperature exceeds 200 degrees Celsius.
The total cost of the project is USD 65 million and the exploration will be funded by New Zealand, the African Union and UNDP.