Geothermal energy stakeholders and experts met at an event during the 24th Conference of Parties (COP24) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Katowice, Poland to review the successes and challenges as well as recommend the way forward for the African Union Commission (AUC) Geothermal Risk Mitigation Facility (GRMF).
The Event was organized by the Department of Infrastructure and Energy of the AUC and was attended by high-level experts and representatives from African Member States as well as experts from International organizations and partner countries.
In his opening remarks, the Acting Head of Energy Division, Mr. Atef Marzouk noted the continuing importance of geothermal energy in East Africa in the short and long-term, and the need to mobilize more financial and technical resources to boost geothermal energy development in Africa to expand energy access for meeting our basic needs as well as productive activities.
Mr. Marzouk also said “the Geothermal Risk Mitigation Facility (GRMF) is successfully supporting early stage development of 30 geothermal energy projects in east Africa”. He also noted that the available GRMF grants of USD 140 million will leverage investments estimated at USD 9.2 billion.
