Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) discovered 20 megawatts of geothermal power in four of the five deep wells under the Aluto Langano Geothermal Expansion Project. The depth of the wells ranges from 2,700 meters to 3,000 meters.

The expansion project to the Aluto Langano Geothermal Plant commenced in May last year with a view to increasing the power production capacity of the plant to 70 MW.

EEP will soon commence the drilling of the 6th and 7th wells of the Aluto Langano Expansion Project which is located on the Aluto volcanic complex of the Ethiopian Rift Valley, 200 KM from Addis Ababa and supported by the International Development Association (IDA) of the World Bank.

The plant was established in 1998 as a pilot plant to test the geothermal resources in the area. Covering an area of about 8km², various studies have indicated that up to 100MW electric can produced from the Aluto steam field, known to be one of the high temperature prospected area in the country.

Source: Fana BC and Ethiopian News Agency

Image source: Fana BC