Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 21 January 2016: The African Union Commission (AUC), through its’ Department of Infrastructure and Energy, and Cluff Geothermal ltd signed a Grant Contract for financial support - totaling USD 862,131, to conduct surface study activities and infrastructure upgrades at the Cluff Geothermal ltd owned Fantale geothermal prospect located in Ethiopia. The Grant Contract was signed by the AUC Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, Dr. Elham M. A. Ibrahim, and Mr. George Percy, on behalf of Cluff Geothermal ltd, at the AUC headquarter.

The AUC Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy Dr. Elham M. A. Ibrahim congratulated Cluff Geothermal ltd for securing this Grant and their achievement in geothermal development, which will contribute to improving the quality of life of the people of Ethiopia.
The Geothermal Risk Mitigation Facility (GRMF), funded by the German Government (BMZ), European Union (EU ITF) and the UK Government (DFID), focuses on providing the following financial support in form of grants to surface studies as well as to exploration drilling and testing programmes to beneficiaries from 11 eligible countries along the Eastern African rift who’s projects qualify in a 2-stage application process:
 20% of approved eligible costs for infrastructure required for eligible surface studies or eligible drilling programmes (e.g. road access, water, etc);
 80% of approved eligible costs of surface studies (ex¬cluding infrastructure costs);
 40% of approved eligible costs for the exploration drilling and testing programme for well fluids (ex¬cluding infrastructure costs);
 Up to 30% of the approved eligible costs of continuation activities, or up to 30% of the developer’s share of the approved eligible costs incurred during the initial drilling and testing programme - whatever is lower.
For detailed information about the Geothermal Risk Mitigation Facility (GRMF) please visit the GRMF website: http://www.grmf-eastafrica.org/