Bringing Geothermal Energy to Sub-Saharan Africa

I skipped last week’s Renewable Energy World North America international geothermal session, but according to what I’m reading here, the focus was on emerging markets – especially sub-Saharan Africa, where 60% of the population lives without electrical power.  I’m delighted to see that organizations like USAID are attempting to unlock energy growth in Kenya, Tanzania, Ghana, Nigeria, Liberia, and Ethiopia, the last of which apparently has a huge amount of geothermal resources. 

Bringing electrification to the rural parts of the developing world is instrumental to alleviating human suffering, and stemming population growth and ecological devastation.  Electric power means better healthcare, education, and productivity, and a huge reduction in deforestation and the fertility rate of women.  Establishing distributed generation in these regions is by far the biggest bang for the buck in terms of philanthropy and environmentalism.