The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and several partners have launched a series of online seminars designed to help the countries of East Africa ramp up exploration for geothermal energy, a source of power that experts say could be game changing for the region.
The sessions, which included geothermal experts from 11 countries, explored a technique known as slim-hole drilling, which sees exploration companies sink narrow wells deep into the ground to tap into pockets of heat and steam. These slim wells cost up to 75 per cent less than conventional wells, which are typically one of the most expensive parts of a geothermal project and could allow countries to dramatically expand exploration.
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