USTDA Grant Supports Study of Proposed Energy Project in Madagascar

Today, U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) Director Thelma Askey announced the award of a $370,366 grant to the Ministry of Energy and Mines of Madagascar to partially fund a study on the development of the Upstream Volobé Hydroelectric Power Project in Madagascar. To officially confer the award, Director Askey signed an agreement on behalf of the U.S. government. His Excellency Olivier Donat Andriamahefaparany, Minister of Energy and Mines, signed the grant agreement on behalf of the government of Madagascar.

The Upstream Volobé project includes a proposed 90-megawatt facility that could support the development of a nickel mining facility in Madagascar and supply power for domestic consumption. Given Madagascar’s limited energy generation capacity, the government of Madagascar has prioritized the development of the project. The USTDA-funded study will examine the viability of the hydropower facility taking into consideration a variety of factors, including the geotechnical aspects of the proposed location, transmission interconnection, and the environmental impact of the project. The study will also explore the potential for local community electrification as a result of the project.

The Ministry of Energy and Mines has selected Paul C. Rizzo Associates, Inc., based in Monroeville, Pennsylvania, to carry out the study. In addition to the USTDA grant, Paul C. Rizzo and Associates, as well as the Ministry of Energy and Mines, will contribute resources toward the completion of the study.

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency advances economic development and U.S. commercial interests in developing and middle-income countries. The agency funds various forms of technical assistance, feasibility studies, training, orientation visits and business workshops that support the development of a modern infrastructure and a fair and open trading environment. USTDA’s strategic use of foreign assistance funds to support sound investment policy and decision-making in host countries creates an enabling environment for trade, investment and sustainable economic development. In carrying out its mission, USTDA gives emphasis to economic sectors that may benefit from U.S. exports of goods and services.

June 22 2005

Press Release - U.S. Trade and Development Agency

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