The World Bank-led program ESMAP published a handbook to aid policy makers in planning and financing geothermal power generation, including information on how to evaluate risks and finance up-front costs.
The handbook is dedicated to making geothermal energy a viable source of electric power for developing countries.
10 September 2012: The World Bank-led Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP) has announced the publication of the “Geothermal Handbook,” dedicated to making geothermal energy a viable source of electric power for developing countries.
ESMAP notes that the Geothermal Handbook is intended for use in the planning and financing of power generation in geothermal projects, and to provide decision makers and project developers with practical advice on how to plan, develop, and execute a geothermal development program.
The handbook includes a systematic explanation of project development, risk analysis, and the resources required to implement geothermal projects, built upon information gained from past investment successes and failures. It also emphasizes the need for international assistance in financing the high-upfront costs at the beginning stages of development, which are considered most risky stages, in hopes of alleviating risk and increasing the appeal of geothermal projects to private investors.
ESMAP is a global, multidonor technical assistance trust fund administered by the World Bank and cosponsored by 12 official bilateral donors. [Handbook Overview] [Publication: Geothermal Handbook: Planning and Financing Power Generation]