Thursday, October 15, 2015

East Africa, New Zealand: Geothermal Drilling to Use Kiwi Codes

African Union Commission and New Zealand Government sign an agreement on Geothermal Drilling Regulation for Deep Wells in East Africa (News Release)

The African Union Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, H.E. Dr Elham M. A. Ibrahim and New Zealand Ambassador to the African Union, H.E. Mr Bruce Shepherd, signed on 9 October 2015 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, an Agreement on Geothermal Drilling Regulation for Deep Wells in East Africa to support regulation of geothermal activity in Eastern African countries.

The Agreement aims to facilitate the development by the African Union Commission of a Geothermal Drilling Code (“AU Commission Standard”) based on the New Zealand Standards SNZ2403:201, for use by African Union member states. “The new African Union Commission Code of Practice will help to ensure increased professionalism and safety for deep geothermal well drilling starting with the Eastern African countries and will help countries make the most of their vast geothermal potential”, Commissioner Dr Elham Ibrahim, said.

For detailed information about the AUC geothermal activities and The Geothermal Risk Mitigation Facility (GRMF) please visit the GRMF website: grmf-eastafrica.org.