popular articles

Red Sea Drilling Company: a National Geothermal Company in Djibouti

The Red Sea Drilling Company is developing geothermal energy in Djibouti to ensure energy independence with 1000 MW of 100% RE electricity by 2030, while training local engineers and attracting investment. It also plans to boost water supplies and expand beyond Djibouti's borders.

Please share:

The Red Sea Drilling Company will also need to attract investors to Djibouti’s geothermal potential, which could provide the country with energy independence through 100% renewable energy.

Red Sea Drilling Company to develop Djibouti’s geothermal potential

1000 MW of geothermal potential for 100% renewable energy by 2030

Djibouti takes another step forward in the development ofgeothermal energy with the creation of its own national company. Estimates indicate that Djibouti holds up to 1,000 MW of production potential from its geothermal sources.

Djibouti hopes that the development of its geothermal industry will ensure the country’s energy independence and even enable it to export electricity. It should also enable the country to achieve its goal of 100% renewable electricity by 2030.

Providing affordable electricity

RSDC’s primary mission will be to develop the national reserves in order to offer affordable electricity to the population. Today, Djibouti’s electricity is among the most expensive in the region, costing up to six times as much as in Ethiopia. The country’s energy supply relies on imported Ethiopian electricity, as well as local production of 126 MW based on imported coal.

Training national engineers and technicians

RSDC should also help train national engineers and technicians, who are essential to the country’s energy independence. Until now, foreign know-how has been essential to the development of the geothermal industry in Djibouti. This has enabled KenGen of Kenya to sign a USD$6.5 million contract in February 2021 to drill three wells in Lake Assal.

Djibouti geothermal energy
Lake Assal, an endoreic salt lake in central Djibouti (source: Peter Watson/BBC).

 

Attracting investors to Djibouti’s geothermal potential

The first investments in geothermal energy in Djibouti date back to the 1970s. Regional tensions and the global economic crisis had nevertheless thwarted the sector’s development plans. Djibouti hopes that RSDC will help to attract and channel financing to the sector, which has seen a resurgence in interest over the past decade.

Back in 2013, the African Development Bank approved a USD$6.8 million loan to explore Lake Assal. The bank then granted 18 million for the construction of a 20 MW power plant, with the potential to expand to 50 MW. This first plant alone will meet two-thirds of the country’s current energy needs.

Djibouti aims to become a major energy player in East Africa

Geothermal energy, a low-key source of renewable energy

Geothermal power plants generate electricity using the very hot groundwater beneath the Earth’s surface. This renewable energy source emits no greenhouse gases, and its raw material – the Earth’s heat – is totally free.

While the city of Paris uses geothermal energy for heating, geothermal power generation in France remains marginal. It has two power plants: a 16 MW plant at Bouillante in Guadeloupe and a 12 MW plant at Soultz-sous-Forêts in Alsace. The industry is gradually taking shape around a number of projects, with the prospect of increased installed capacity in the coming years.

Ensuring a secure water supply

The new company plans to strengthen its capabilities in water drilling to enhance the country’s water security. It also plans to develop mining and oil & gas drilling activities. In the medium term, RSDC aims to become a major drilling player in East Africa, expanding beyond Djibouti’s borders.

Register free of charge for uninterrupted access.

Publicite

Recently published in

Colombia is intensifying the development of geothermal energy to diversify its energy mix. The country is relying on public-private partnerships and favorable regulations to attract the necessary investments.
Magma Power LLC is awarded a patent for an innovative technology that extracts magmatic heat for energy production, with applications in energy-intensive industries.
Magma Power LLC is awarded a patent for an innovative technology that extracts magmatic heat for energy production, with applications in energy-intensive industries.
Geothermal energy in the Paris region, which has been well established since the 1980s, is proving to be a reliable and economical solution for district heating, limiting dependence on fossil fuels and ensuring long-term price stability.
Geothermal energy in the Paris region, which has been well established since the 1980s, is proving to be a reliable and economical solution for district heating, limiting dependence on fossil fuels and ensuring long-term price stability.
AFPG and Enerplan join forces to promote the coupling of solar thermal and geothermal energy in France. This initiative aims to optimize the use of renewable energies, thereby reinforcing the energy transition and national energy sovereignty.
AFPG and Enerplan join forces to promote the coupling of solar thermal and geothermal energy in France. This initiative aims to optimize the use of renewable energies, thereby reinforcing the energy transition and national energy sovereignty.
X-Caliber Rural Capital is providing $100 million in financing for Fervo Energy's geothermal project in Utah, designed to deliver 400 MW of renewable energy capacity by 2028.
Tsuchiyu Onsen, a Japanese region renowned for its hot springs, is implementing a strategy to integrate geothermal production into its tourism sector, illustrating a local energy management model.
Tsuchiyu Onsen, a Japanese region renowned for its hot springs, is implementing a strategy to integrate geothermal production into its tourism sector, illustrating a local energy management model.
INA - Industrija nafte d.d. launches seismic surveys in northern Croatia to identify geothermal and hydrocarbon resources as part of its energy diversification strategy.
INA - Industrija nafte d.d. launches seismic surveys in northern Croatia to identify geothermal and hydrocarbon resources as part of its energy diversification strategy.
Stadtwerke München receives 43.9 million euros from the BEW program to extend Munich's geothermal heating network, covering a significant part of the project costs.
Stadtwerke München receives 43.9 million euros from the BEW program to extend Munich's geothermal heating network, covering a significant part of the project costs.
The U.S. Bureau of Land Management is putting 220,000 acres of land up for sale in Nevada to intensify geothermal exploration, boosting renewable energy production.
Singareni Collieries Company Limited has inaugurated an experimental 20 kW geothermal power plant in Telangana, marking a major step forward for renewable energy in India.
Singareni Collieries Company Limited has inaugurated an experimental 20 kW geothermal power plant in Telangana, marking a major step forward for renewable energy in India.
GA Drilling and Petrobras join forces to develop drilling technology to reduce costs and risks, although challenges remain.
GA Drilling and Petrobras join forces to develop drilling technology to reduce costs and risks, although challenges remain.
India is turning to geothermal energy to diversify its sources of renewable energy. Singareni Collieries Company Limited has already set up a 20 kW pilot plant in Manuguru, Telangana.
India is turning to geothermal energy to diversify its sources of renewable energy. Singareni Collieries Company Limited has already set up a 20 kW pilot plant in Manuguru, Telangana.
Whitebark Energy uses revenues from Wizard Lake in Canada to fund geothermal and hydrogen initiatives in Australia, underlining a transition to renewable energies.
Exergy International and RentCo Africa Limited sign agreement to add 67 MWe of geothermal capacity in Olkaria, Kenya.
Exergy International and RentCo Africa Limited sign agreement to add 67 MWe of geothermal capacity in Olkaria, Kenya.
SLB and Ormat Technologies join forces to provide complete geothermal energy solutions, aimed at reducing project risks and improving profitability.
SLB and Ormat Technologies join forces to provide complete geothermal energy solutions, aimed at reducing project risks and improving profitability.
The U.S.-Iceland geothermal energy partnership promises to transform the global energy landscape, with massive investment and collaboration to develop innovative, sustainable technologies.
The U.S.-Iceland geothermal energy partnership promises to transform the global energy landscape, with massive investment and collaboration to develop innovative, sustainable technologies.
Nicaragua launches international tender for geothermal drilling at Cosigüina volcano, targeting companies specializing in deep wells
Newheat, the Communauté d'Agglomération Pau Béarn Pyrénées and ENGIE Solutions have launched a feasibility study for an innovative thermal storage system, supported by the European TREASURE program.
Newheat, the Communauté d'Agglomération Pau Béarn Pyrénées and ENGIE Solutions have launched a feasibility study for an innovative thermal storage system, supported by the European TREASURE program.
Fervo Energy secures contracts for 320 MW of geothermal capacity with Southern California Edison, underlining the growing demand for reliable, continuous renewable energy.
Fervo Energy secures contracts for 320 MW of geothermal capacity with Southern California Edison, underlining the growing demand for reliable, continuous renewable energy.
Kyuden Mirai Energy, a subsidiary of Kyushu Electric Power, begins construction this year of a 5 MW geothermal power plant in Kirishima, Kagoshima, Japan.
Kyuden Mirai Energy, a subsidiary of Kyushu Electric Power, begins construction this year of a 5 MW geothermal power plant in Kirishima, Kagoshima, Japan.
Baker Hughes highlights Nakhchivan's geothermal potential, offering new investment prospects for renewable energies in Azerbaijan.
The University of La Laguna and IGME are moving ahead with the SAGE4CAN project to demonstrate the potential of shallow geothermal energy in the Canary Islands.
The University of La Laguna and IGME are moving ahead with the SAGE4CAN project to demonstrate the potential of shallow geothermal energy in the Canary Islands.
Researchers at Robert Gordon University (RGU) in Scotland are installing geothermal cooling systems in low-income communities in Kenya, funded by the Scottish Funding Council and the Global Challenges Research Fund.
Researchers at Robert Gordon University (RGU) in Scotland are installing geothermal cooling systems in low-income communities in Kenya, funded by the Scottish Funding Council and the Global Challenges Research Fund.
Kenya is preparing to take a step forward in geothermal power generation with a 1 GW green data center, backed by Microsoft and G42.
Kenya is preparing to take a step forward in geothermal power generation with a 1 GW green data center, backed by Microsoft and G42.

Advertising