Cluff Geothermal take part in successful DECC Low Carbon Trade Mission to East Africa

17th October 2012

Cluff Geothermal played a prominent role in the recent DECC low carbon Trade Mission to Kenya, Ethiopia and Tanzania led by Greg Barker MP. With other Mission delegates Cluff met with senior Ministers and officials in all three countries, deepening relationships and exploring opportunities for new geothermal projects. The Mission gave Cluff an ideal platform to communicate our vision for geothermal energy development in the region, and we were delighted that a short time later Cluff Geothermal were shortlisted for Phase II of Kenya’s Menengai project.

In a packed week Cluff took a prominent role in meetings in all three of the countries visited:

In Tanzania Cluff African Operations Manager George Delacherois Day met with Minister for Energy & Mineral Resources Sospeter Muhongo to discuss the potential for geothermal energy development. Tanzania is known to have significant geothermal resources which have yet to be exploited.
In Kenya Cluff’s African Operations Manager George Delacherois Day met with PM Raila Odinga, and Energy Minister Kiraitu Murungi.
In Addis Ababa Cluff Operations Manager Dr Michael Feliks and Drilling Consultant Kevin Mallin met with Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, who expressed a very positive view on Ethiopia’s geothermal energy potential. Cluff are close to obtaining an exploration licence for the Fantale area of Ethiopia, and well positioned at the forefront of investment in the Ethiopian geothermal sector.

Cluff Managing Director George Percy said: “This Low Carbon Trade Mission highlighted the huge opportunities for private sector-led renewable energy business in East Africa, and we expect UK companies to play a leading role in this rapidly expanding market. Cluff Geothermal are at the forefront of this activity and I am confident we will continue to build on our advantageous position in Kenya to deliver other projects there and across the region.”

He added ‘I would like to pay tribute to Greg Barker MP who led the Mission with great energy and skill and demonstrated his understanding of, and commitment to, the low carbon growth agenda; and to the DECC, UKTI and FCO teams who did an excellent job of supporting and arranging the trip in the UK and East Africa.’