Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ANTANANARIVO67
2008-01-28 13:31:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Antananarivo
Cable title:  

GEOTHERMAL ENERGY TOP COMORAN ECONOMIC PRIORITY

Tags:  ECON SENV PREL EAID ENRG CN 
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VZCZCXRO2895
PP RUEHLMC
DE RUEHAN #0067 0281331
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 281331Z JAN 08
FM AMEMBASSY ANTANANARIVO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0899
INFO RUEHSA/AMEMBASSY PRETORIA 1186
RHMFIUU/CJTF HOA
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC
RUEHLMC/MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORPORATION
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
UNCLAS ANTANANARIVO 000067 

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STATE PASS TDA AND DOE
ADDIS FOR LBRODEY
DEPT FOR AF/E, AF/FO, INR/AA
DEPT PLEASE PASS TO USAID
PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHER
PRETORIA FOR DSHUSTER

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON SENV PREL EAID ENRG CN
SUBJECT: GEOTHERMAL ENERGY TOP COMORAN ECONOMIC PRIORITY


UNCLAS ANTANANARIVO 000067

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE PASS TDA AND DOE
ADDIS FOR LBRODEY
DEPT FOR AF/E, AF/FO, INR/AA
DEPT PLEASE PASS TO USAID
PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHER
PRETORIA FOR DSHUSTER

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON SENV PREL EAID ENRG CN
SUBJECT: GEOTHERMAL ENERGY TOP COMORAN ECONOMIC PRIORITY



1. This is an Action Request; see Paragraph Five.


2. SUMMARY: In a January 11 letter to Secretary Rice, Comoran Vice
President Idi Nadhoim officially requested U.S. government financial
assistance to assess geothermal energy potential in the Comoros.
Echoing President Ahmed Abdallah Sambi's recent remarks to AF
Assistant Secretary Frazer, Vice President Idi told the Ambassador
that reliable and affordable energy production is the Union
government's top economic priority. END SUMMARY.


3. Notwithstanding the ongoing Anjouan impasse, Comoran President
Sambi is intent on advancing his development agenda, in particular
creating an investor-friendly environment in the Comoros. To this
end, President Sambi and Vice President Idi have shared their
interest in geothermal energy with the Ambassador. The latter has
for months been in discussion with Nevada-based Geothermal
Development Associates (GDA) to pursue a feasibility study for the
geothermal potential of Mount Karthala, the active volcano on Grande
Comore. Idi and GDA submitted to the Ambassador a proposal for an
11-month assessment with a budget of USD 922,124. Vice President
Idi also plans to attend the Washington International Renewable
Energy Conference (WIREC) in March to make contact with potential
public and private sector energy partners.


4. A preliminary review of existing data on Mount Karthala suggests
the volcanic heat beneath Grande Comore could be tapped for
geothermal energy. With thermal and hydropower utilities in
disrepair, as well as mounting costs of fuel oil, the Union
Government seeks assistance developing renewable energy potential.
A 10 mW geothermal utility would begin to meet the Comoros'
residential and business electricity needs without dependence on oil
imports and without polluting the environment.


5. ACTION REQUEST: Post requests the Department work with the U.S.
Trade and Development Agency, Department of Energy, the U.S.
Geological Survey and USAID to pursue funding for a geothermal
feasibility study for the Comoros. This may include access and
participation to the existing Rift Valley geothermal project
(ARGeo). Please also consider how the March visit of Vice-President
Idi can be used to make progress on this request.

MARQUARDT