Kenya launches 35MW Orpower 22 geothermal plant

Kenya's President William Ruto has recently inaugurated the 35MW Orpower 22 Power Plant in Menengai, Nakuru County, marking a significant milestone in the country's renewable energy initiatives. Developed by Orpower 22, a subsidiary of Ormat Technologies, in collaboration with the Geothermal Development Company (GDC), this plant is poised to enhance Kenya's geothermal capacity, aligning with the nation's ambitious targets of going completely green by 2030. Moreover, this project underscores Kenya's position as the sixth largest geothermal producer globally. President Ruto emphasized the importance of leveraging Kenya's extensive geothermal potential to drive economic growth and welcomed private sector participation in further developing critical infrastructure and essential services. The President highlighted that while Kenya has only utilized 950MW of its geothermal capacity, leaving vast opportunities untapped, there is immense potential for growth, with over 90% of geothermal resources yet to be harnessed. Notable private sector players such as Kaishan, Orpower 22, Globelec, and Socean have been acknowledged for their investments, signaling the government's readiness to collaborate with businesses to unlock this abundant resource. President Ruto pointed out that despite not fully exploiting its geothermal energy potential, Kenya stands as the sixth largest global geothermal producer, with geothermal power accounting for more than 50% of the nation's power mix. The completion of the 105MW Menengai project is anticipated to lift Kenya's global geothermal ranking to fifth place, establishing the country's prowess in economic growth intertwined with clean energy development. The President addressed the common notion that clean energy might impede economic progress due to costs, stating that Kenya's success serves as an example that clean and sustainable energy is viable for development. Additionally, he emphasized Kenya's commitment to decarbonizing the national grid and working towards achieving net zero emissions. Kenya's investment in renewable energy dates back to the post-independence era, with 73% of the nation's installed capacity now sourced from renewable resources, powering over 90% of the electricity supplied countrywide. The Orpower 22 plant, part of the Menengai 105 megawatt complex, signals ongoing efforts to expand geothermal operations in regions like Olkaria, Eburu, and Baringo. These expansions, totaling over 75 megawatts, are poised to further bolster Kenya's clean energy footprint. The Rift Valley, home to abundant clean energy resources, presents opportunities for industrial and commercial sectors to enhance domestic manufacturing capacity, supporting Kenya's vision of becoming an industrial hub. Notably, Nakuru County is positioned not only as a green energy generation center but also as Kenya's industrial county. President Ruto highlighted the government's plans to establish a 5,000-acre industrial complex in Naivasha, focusing on expanding industrial activities and attracting investments. The upcoming partnership between Microsoft, G42 of the UAE, and Kenya to set up data centers in Naivasha powered by geothermal energy, with an estimated investment of nearly a billion dollars, reaffirms Kenya's industrial and investment potential. This initiative underscores how affordable, reliable, and clean energy is pivotal for economic transformation, aiding in eradicating energy poverty, enhancing productivity, and improving competitiveness. President Ruto underscored the importance of ensuring that the people of Nakuru County benefit from the geothermal energy generated, highlighting the role of geothermal reserves as a national asset that should be efficiently utilized to foster inclusive growth.