Toshiba and Djibouti’s ODDEG Conclude Memorandum of Understanding on Geothermal Power Generation Business
Toshiba Corporation has concluded a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Office Djiboutien de Développement de l’Energie Géothermique (ODDEG), the government organization responsible for developing Djibouti’s geothermal power capabilities, that envisages a comprehensive collaboration in the geothermal power generation business. Under the terms of the MOU, ODDEG and Toshiba will cultivate Djibouti’s extensive geothermal resources and provide training for personnel working in plants.
ODDEG was established in 2014. It reports directly to Presidency of Djibouti and is responsible for the long-term development of Djibouti’s geothermal resources, under the country’s plans to promote renewable resources as the basis for a sustainable green economy. Working with Toshiba will allow ODDEG to draw on Toshiba’s comprehensive capabilities as the world’s single largest provider of geothermal energy equipment, in such areas as creation of guidelines for plant operation and management, the development and supply of generation systems, and support in training personnel to operate plants.
Djibouti currently has an installed generation capacity of 120 megawatt, mostly from thermal power, and has to supplement this with power imports from Ethiopia. However, many sites in Djibouti are suitable for geothermal power generation, and current plans envisage constructing geothermal power stations with a base capacity of about 50 megawatt. The MOU provides Toshiba with the opportunity to work with ODDEG to develop a highly promising, low CO2 renewable source that will contribute to a green Djibouti, and to supply geothermal power generation equipment in the future.
Since delivering Japan’s first geothermal steam turbines and generators in 1966, Toshiba has advanced its geothermal power generation business at the global level. The company has delivered 53 geothermal turbines, with a total capacity of 3,400 megawatt, to plants in the USA, the Philippines, Iceland and other countries around the world. This represents approximately 23%*, of the world’s installed geothermal capacity, making Toshiba the world’s top supplier. In the African market, Toshiba recently delivered four geothermal turbines to Kenya that are now in commercial operation. Last December, the company concluded an MOU with Tanzania Geothermal Development Company Limited for comprehensive collaboration in the geothermal power generation business.
Going forward, Toshiba’s Energy Systems & Solutions Company is a world leader in geothermal power generation for domestic plus global markets and will continue to promote a broad portfolio of renewable energy solutions, as it seeks to contribute to mitigation of global warming and to improve people’s lives.
