Kenya is positioning itself as a global leader in geothermal energy with the launch of the Orpower 22 Geothermal Power Plant in Nakuru County, roughly 200 kilometers from Nairobi. Initiated by President William Ruto, this $90 million project, undertaken through a public-private partnership with Shanghai-based Kaishan Group, is expected to be completed within 17 months.
The Orpower 22 plant will play a critical role in Kenya’s push toward sustainable energy, supporting the country’s goal of a fully green national electricity grid by 2030. Currently ranked as the world’s sixth-largest geothermal energy producer with a 950 MW capacity—half of its national energy mix—Kenya aims to climb to fifth place globally once the plant’s 35 MW output is added to the grid. This will not only contribute to green energy goals but also enhance climate resilience and promote economic growth in the region.
President Ruto emphasized Kenya’s favorable environment for renewable energy investments, highlighting geothermal, solar, and wind as priority areas. Private-sector involvement, such as that from Kaishan Group, is seen as vital to developing Kenya’s estimated 10,000 MW geothermal potential.
Kaishan’s Yan Tang shared the company’s commitment to zero-carbon industrialization in Kenya, collaborating with the government and local communities to drive geothermal and green hydrogen projects. The Kaishan Group’s involvement in Kenya’s energy sector includes the recent 35 MW Sosian Menengai Geothermal Power Plant, operational since 2023, which has been pivotal in supplying green energy to the national grid.
Through projects like Orpower 22, Kenya is taking bold steps toward an inclusive, sustainable energy future, with plans to meet net-zero emissions targets through strategic investments and regulatory support for renewable energy.
For more on Kenya’s bold strides in geothermal energy and the impact of the Orpower 22 project, read the full article.