Kenya and the UK on Thursday witnessed the groundbreaking of a new geothermal power plant in Kenya’s Rift Valley region.
According to a statement from the UK government, the geothermal project was part of the $3.6 billion green investment projects set to be unveiled in the East African nation.
Once complete, the power plant will add 35 megawatts to Kenya’s power grid, which is capable of sustaining 300 homes.
In addition to increasing Kenya’s power generation capacity, the Menengai project will create 200 jobs at its construction phase and over 30 jobs for permanent staff members.
Kenya’s Deputy President, Rigathi Gachagua, who witnessed the groundbreaking welcomed the initiative.
He noted that it would help the nation realize its goal of attaining a 100 percent transition to green energy.
“As one of the countries most affected by climate change, we are determined to attain our target of 100 percent transition to green energy; it is clean, reliable, affordable, and sustainable,” Gachagua started.
“Upon completion, the Project will add 35MW to our national grid. This will contribute to lowering the cost of energy and accelerate Manufacturing, Digital Economy, among other benefits.”
UK’s Commitment
On its part, the UK government reaffirmed its commitment to delivering the green investment projects pledged to Kenya.
They revisited talks between Kenya’s President William Ruto and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on the sidelines of the COP27 summit in Egypt.
In a statement seen by Emerging Brand Africa, the UK confirmed that the Geothermal plant was the second of the pledged projects after the Nairobi Railway City unveiled in 2022.
“This shows that the UK and Kenya go far when we go together – delivering mutual benefits for both our countries,” Jane Marriot, the UK High Commissioner to Kenya noted.
“This plant will both advance Kenya’s global leadership on climate change, and bring down the cost of power – showing that green growth is good for business, and good for Kenyans,” she added.
Furthermore, the UK plans to implement four more projects among them the expansion of a solar power plant in the Coastal county of Malindi and a $3 billion hydroelectric power dam.