Menengai Geothermal Project Powers Kenya’s Clean Energy Future

In the heart of Kenya’s Rift Valley, near Nakuru and northwest of Nairobi, the 105-megawatt Menengai geothermal project is rapidly taking shape. This transformative initiative, comprising three modular power plants with a combined capacity of 105 megawatts, is set to deliver clean, affordable, and sustainable energy to 500,000 Kenyan households by 2025.

A Three-Phase Energy Initiative

The first of the three plants, constructed by Nairobi-based Sosian Energy, is already operational. The second plant, currently under construction by Globeleq—one of Africa’s leading independent power producers—is scheduled to go live by the end of 2025. Once the third plant is completed, the Menengai geothermal facility will produce 1,000 gigawatt-hours of electricity annually, benefiting 300,000 small businesses and industries and bringing reliable electricity to 70,000 rural households.

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Harnessing Geothermal Energy for Sustainability

Geothermal power taps heat from the Earth’s crust to convert groundwater into steam, which drives turbines to produce electricity. By exploiting Kenya’s vast geothermal reserves, the Menengai project not only provides a renewable energy solution but also reduces the country’s reliance on fossil fuels, aligning with Kenya’s Vision 2030 development plan. The project is expected to cut 1.95 million tonnes of CO2 emissions annually, advancing Kenya’s fight against climate change.

African Development Bank at the Helm

The Menengai project has attracted international support, with a $198.4 million investment led by the African Development Bank Group (AfDB). AfDB contributed $120 million through concessional lending and mobilised funding from partners including the Strategic Climate Fund, the Eastern and Southern African Trade & Development Bank, and the Finnish Fund for Industrial Cooperation. Kenya’s state-owned Geothermal Development Company (GDC) oversees the exploration and development of geothermal steam resources, while Globeleq will operate one of the plants.

“Globeleq will begin receiving steam as soon as construction is completed,” noted GDC engineer Stephen Onyango. The power generated will be integrated into Kenya’s national grid via the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company, ensuring reliable distribution by the Kenya Power and Lighting Company.

A Project Rooted in Local and Global Benefits

Globeleq’s Managing Director, Edouard Wenseleers, emphasised the significance of the project: “We are right at the heart of the Menengai Caldera. Once completed, the project will provide reliable and affordable baseload power to Kenya’s national grid.”

Beyond its environmental benefits, the project is delivering tangible social and economic impacts:

• Employment: The construction phase employs 175 local workers, providing training in technical skills such as welding, paving the way for long-term career opportunities.
• Local Economy Boost: Food for the workforce is sourced from local farms, driving agricultural growth and economic development in the region.
• Community Development: By generating electricity and creating local business opportunities, the project is fostering sustainable economic and social progress.

Geothermal Energy: A Pillar of Kenya’s Renewable Future

Kenya is already a leader in geothermal energy, with the resource contributing 45% of the national energy supply. The Menengai geothermal project underscores the country’s commitment to renewable energy, demonstrating how abundant geothermal resources can support economic growth and environmental conservation.

“The beauty of geothermal energy is that it is abundant in Kenya,” says Wenseleers. “This clean resource supports the economic and social development of one of East Africa’s leading economies.”

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Source: African Development Bank