Nakuru: A South African firm, Iroko Africa, has entered into a partnership with the Geothermal Development Company (GDC) to explore the commercialization of geothermal steam for industrial purposes. The collaboration aims to leverage the geothermal steam from GDC's Menengai wells in Nakuru to facilitate industrial processes.
According to Kenya News Agency, Iroko Africa is an engineering and consulting firm specializing in industrial decarbonization, energy efficiency, and climate adaptation. It operates as the African subsidiary of France-based Manergy Group and focuses on building eco-resilient industries across Africa. The company aims to integrate energy efficiency, low-carbon systems, and climate resilience into real-world operations.
Nakuru Deputy Governor Dr. David Kones announced that a team from the local government unit will collaborate with GDC and Iroko Africa to conduct technical and financial feasibility studies at the Menengai Crater Geothermal-Powered Industrial Park. He emphasized the potential of geothermal energy not just for electricity but also for providing direct heat to industrialists, which could significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
This partnership marks the second of its kind for GDC, which previously signed a 25-year deal to supply geothermal steam to cement manufacturer Karsan Ramji and Sons Limited. The arrangement with Karsan Ramji involves providing 40 tons per hour of geothermal steam for power generation and heat for cement production. Dr. Kones highlighted that such partnerships could greatly reduce production costs.
The Deputy Governor also spoke about the potential job creation and economic benefits of the Menengai Geothermal-Powered Industrial Park, positioning Nakuru County as a leader in the green industrial revolution. He underscored the versatility of geothermal energy, which can be used for various industrial applications, including heating greenhouses, milk pasteurization, and more.
Dr. Kones noted that Kenya has a significant geothermal potential of about 10,000 MW, making it a clean, reliable, and affordable energy source. He expressed optimism about the future of geothermal energy in Kenya, encouraging more investors to explore this sustainable energy option.
Further, Dr. Kones stated that the Menengai Crater Geothermal-Powered Industrial Park is expected to attract investors in the manufacturing sector, providing affordable and reliable heat. The provision of green energy by GDC is seen as a step towards decarbonizing the economy and creating new job opportunities.
GDC has been demonstrating direct-use technology in the Menengai geothermal field since 2015 with projects like steam-heated greenhouses and aquaculture ponds. These projects showcase the viability of direct-use technology and serve as a marketing tool for potential investors.
Dr. Nelson Maara, County Executive Committee Member for Environment, Energy, Climate Change, and Natural Resources, emphasized that geothermal energy is a reliable form of energy that can support various industrial processes. He pointed out that the use of geothermal steam instead of fossil fuels in manufacturing positions GDC as a vital component in Kenya's energy transition strategy.
The feasibility study conducted by GDC showed that using geothermal energy in a medium-sized milk processing plant could reduce energy costs by up to 60 percent. Geothermal energy is considered a low-cost renewable energy source with low emissions, making it a preferable alternative to thermal power, especially during droughts affecting hydropower generation.
Kenya aims to achieve 5 gigawatts (GW) of geothermal capacity by 2030, with several green energy power plants under development, including the 300 MW Lake Turkana Wind Power Plant, the largest in Africa.