Participants at the Seminar on Geothermal Energy for East African Region Representatives examined Mexico's experience in geothermal energy development and use, and discuss Africa's needs and interests in the field, agreeing on the need to introduce an intra-regional programme on geothermal energy.
2 May 2011: The Seminar on Geothermal Energy for East African Region Representatives, which was held from 11-15 April 2011, in Cuernavaca, Mexico, was organized by the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the Mexican Energy (SENER) and Foreign Ministries, Mexico’s Electricity Research Institute, and the Federal Electricity Commission.
The seminar was attended by representatives of the East African Rift Valley Region, who underscored the role geothermal energy can play in developing innovative productive activities in East African rural areas. Participants examined Mexico’s experience in geothermal energy development and use, and discussed Africa’s needs and interests in the field. They agreed on the need to introduce an intra-regional programme that would focus on, inter alia, human resource development, regulatory support, technical assistance on country level and clean energy access. The event also marked the start of a trilateral cooperation programme between UNIDO, Mexico and East Africa on geothermal energy for productive use. [UNIDO Press Release]