EarthVision Environmental News
October 26, 2000

WASHINGTON, October 26, 2000 - The US Initiative on Joint Implementation has given the green light to seven projects in Africa and South America that employ a wide range of renewable energy, forestry and energy efficiency technologies. The Initiative is part of the White House's Climate Change Action Plan, which encourages US businesses and non-governmental organizations to use their resources and innovative technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while promoting sustainable development worldwide.

According to a US Department of Energy news release, the initiative now includes 51 projects in 25 countries, covering technologies that range from forestry conservation to geothermal and solar development initiatives. The projects are reviewed and selected by an evaluation panel comprised of senior representatives from the US Agency for International Development and the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Interior, State and Transportation. The Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency co-chair the program.

The seven new projects are:

Rio Bermejo Carbon Sequestration Project (Argentina) - Sustainable management and forest protection will increase carbon sequestration on a 175,000 acre area of degraded montane forest and agricultural land near Los Toldos, in the province of Salta in northern Argentina. This project will combine tree plantations in agricultural lands, enrichment planting and sustainable management in degraded logged forests and forest preservation. Approximately 14,524,700 metric tons of CO2 will be sequestered over the 30-year lifetime of the project. After the project period, the property will become a reserve.

SIF Carbon Sequestration Project (Chile) - Working with small farmers, this project will reforest 17,500 acres of degraded pastureland in two regions in Chile with radiata pine and eucalyptus trees for commercial fiber production. The two non-native species were selected for their high productivity. This afforestation and sustainable management would sequester carbon as well as enhance the local economy and biodiversity. Over the 48-year lifetime of the project, a total of 1,410,125 metric tons of CO2 will be sequestered.

The Assal Geothermal Development Project (Djibouti) - This 30 megawatt geothermal power project replaces imported diesel/gas generation in an area largely devoid of regional coal, oil and natural gas resources. The facility will provide base load power to the national utility for distribution to the Djibouti market. The project involves the drilling and completion of a well field to supply medium to high enthalpy fluids to the power plant. The project's CO2 emissions are estimated at 153,413 tons per year. Total projected benefits amount to approximately 4,448,977 metric tons of CO2 over a 30-year project life.

Energy Centers for Mali - The project would design and build three Energy Centers in Segou, Sikasso, and Bamako, with the intent that they would be the first of a possible chain of neighborhood energy and communications convenience stores. The Energy Centers would introduce a range of new energy and communications technologies for household and community use. These new technologies would displace wood fuel, kerosene, and diesel; improve the efficiency of energy used for cooking, lighting, refrigeration, and battery recharging; and provide access to telecommunications, computer and information technologies. Greenhouse gas reductions for the pilot are expected to be approximately 418 metric tons of CO2 equivalent over the 20-year project life.

Solar Electric Generation for the Island of Rodrigues (Mauritius) - The project involves installing a 2,600 square-meter solar array (300 kilowatt) to displace diesel generation on the Island of Rodrigues, approximately 400 kilometers east of Mauritius. To minimize impacts from new road and power line construction, the array will be placed near the existing diesel generation plant. By displacing the 2,500 kW diesel generator, the island's main source of power, the project will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 470 metric tons of CO2 per year. Total emissions reductions over the 35-year project life will be 16,000 metric tons of CO2.

Solar Light for the Churches of Africa (Uganda) - The project will provide electric light and radio to areas of rural Uganda where electric grid extension is unlikely. The goal is to electrify 5,000 churches, schools, health clinics, community centers and homes over the next two years. Each unit will be provided a solar lighting kit powered by a 60-watt roof-mounted solar module, with a battery for nighttime use. By replacing the existing kerosene lanterns, each system will save approximately 0.58 metric ton of CO2 per year. The project estimates reductions of CO2 totaling approximately 52,600 metric tons over the 20-year lifetime of the project.

Energy Center for Uganda - This project will establish the first of a possible chain of neighborhood energy and communications convenience stores in suburban and rural Ugandan communities. The location of the Energy Center has not yet been determined; however, Teso, Gulu, and Bagunda are under consideration. The Energy Center would introduce a range of new energy and communications technologies for household and community use. These new technologies would displace wood fuel, kerosene and diesel; improve efficiency of energy used for cooking, lighting, refrigeration and battery recharging; and provide access to telecommunications, computer and information technologies. Greenhouse gas reductions for the pilot are expected to be approximately 152 metric tons of CO2 equivalent over the 20-year project life. Error: Unable to read footer file.