Results of the KEMA and IF Technology geothermal study in Ethiopia presented to Haile Gebrselassie
Energy Consultants KEMA and soil specialist IF Technology have concluded a feasibility study into the possibility of generating electricity from the internal heat of the earth (study of geothermal conditions) in Ethiopia
November 11th - Energy Consultants KEMA and soil specialist IF Technology have concluded a feasibility study into the possibility of generating electricity from the internal heat of the earth (study of geothermal conditions) in Ethiopia. The study was carried out on behalf of the Stichting Fortis Zevenheuvelenloop which, on the occasion of its 25th anniversary, had asked KEMA to contribute ideas on the sustainability of the international running event. The study was presented to the multiple Olympic and World champion Haile Gebrselassie during the anniversary celebrations in Nijmegen on the 29th of September 2008, exactly one day after he broke his own world record in the Berlin marathon. Now, almost a year after its start, the results of the study have recently been handed over to the world-renowned runner in Ethiopia. 'I think it's wonderful that these kinds of initiatives exist. The world needs them and Ethiopia certainly needs them. I am very enthusiastic about the project', said a grateful Gebrselassie. 
Less dependent on fossil fuels
Over 60 million people in East Africa have the potential to benefit from geothermal energy, a sustainable form of energy that is generated from the difference in heat between the earth’s surface and heat reservoirs which lie deep in the earth’s core. Despite the high geothermal potential of the East African Great Rift Valley-a well-known area in which two tectonic plates are moving away from each other to this day, which is creating a valley which is getting increasingly bigger-Kenya is virtually the only country that makes use of geothermal energy, with 121 MW of installed power. At the present time, Ethiopia is only making use of geothermal energy to a very limited extent, with an installed power of 6 MW. The use of geothermal energy can reduce dependency on the import of fossil fuels.
United Nations Environment Programme
The study used information from, amongst others, the Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation and the so-called ARGeo-project (African Rift Geothermal Facility) of the World Bank, which is supported by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The KEMA and IF Technology report clearly proves that the potential for geothermal electricity production is very high indeed, namely approximately 1,000 MW. In addition to this, the technological barriers are not significant and investing in geothermal energy in Ethiopia is financially attractive. Discussions will be held with potential investors and various international authorities in order to develop the project to a subsequent phase.