November 29, 2024 By Magnus Murage Gichuki , Marketing Manager, iXAfrica Data Centres
The first time most visitors come to Kenya and witness the incredible transformation happening beneath its volcanic landscapes, it’s a spectacle to behold. It’s not just a story of power generation—it’s a narrative of pure innovation that’s reshaping how we think about sustainable technology.
Kenya has become a quiet powerhouse, generating 48% of its electricity through this remarkable green technology – (Geothermal)
Source: Think GeoEnergy 2021
Kenya isn’t just producing renewable energy; it’s crafting a blueprint for the future. With approximately 950 MW of geothermal power humming from the Olkaria and Menengai fields, the country has become a quiet powerhouse, generating 48% of its electricity through this remarkable green technology. But this isn’t just about numbers—it’s about vision. Source: Think GeoEnergy 2021
Championing Geothermal Energy
You might be surprised to learn that while everyone talks about Iceland’s geothermal prowess, Kenya is actually outperforming the Nordic nation. Picture this: Iceland generates 750 MW and meets 27% of its electricity needs through geothermal energy. Impressive, right? But Kenya? We’re talking about a country that’s not just competing but leading, ranking 6th globally in geothermal production. Energy experts say Kenya is rewriting the renewable energy playbook.
SGS Steam Gathering System at Menengai Geothermal Project
Iceland generates 750 MW and meets 27% of its electricity needs through geothermal energy.
Source: Government of Iceland
Why Data Centers Are Falling in Love with Kenya
For fellow tech leaders and innovators, let me break down why Kenya is becoming the ultimate destination for forward-thinking digital infrastructure:
- Uninterrupted Reliability: Imagine running a data center where power fluctuations are a thing of the past. That’s the Kenyan promise—stable, consistent geothermal energy that keeps your operations humming.
- Green Credentials That Matter: In an era where ESG isn’t just a buzzword but a business imperative, Kenya offers a sustainability story that’s genuine and compelling.
- Scalability Beyond Imagination: We’re not talking about incremental growth. We’re discussing a platform that can support hyperscale operations with remarkable ease.
SGS Steam Gathering System at Menengai Geothermal Project
A National Vision, A Global Impact
When President William Ruto speaks about transforming Kenya into a renewable energy hub, it’s not political rhetoric—it’s a meticulously crafted strategy. “We’re not just generating power,” he recently shared, “we’re generating possibilities.”
So Where Does Kenya Stand?
Let’s put this into perspective. The global geothermal leader board looks like this:
- United States – 3,900 MW
- Indonesia – 2,418 MW
- Philippines – 1,952 MW
- Turkey – 1,691 MW
- New Zealand – 1,042 MW
- Kenya – 985 MWSource: Geothermal Development Company 2024.
- Mexico – 976 MW
- Italy – 916 MW
- Iceland – 754 MW
- Japan – 576 MW
What makes Kenya’s journey extraordinary isn’t just the technical achievement. It’s the human spirit of innovation, the audacity to look at volcanic landscapes and see not just terrain, but tremendous potential. This isn’t just an investment opportunity. It’s an invitation to be part of a transformative narrative. By choosing Kenya, you’re not merely selecting a location—you’re aligning with a vision of sustainable, scalable, and soulful technological progress.
Kenya’s geothermal energy capacity is approximately 985 Megawatts (MW), placing it 6th among the top geothermal producers globally
Kenya is a Frontier Market for Data Centres
Kenya is uniquely positioned as a frontier market for data centers. The country’s renewable power sources, particularly its cost-competitive geothermal energy, make it an attractive destination for energy-intensive operations. Additionally, the accelerating submarine cable connectivity ensures seamless and robust international communication. Kenya also boasts a pool of smart and highly skilled talent, ready to drive innovation in the digital space. Moreover, its strategic location provides access to a vast East African market of approximately 400 million people, making it an ideal hub for businesses aiming to expand their footprint in the region.
The digital revolution isn’t just coming. In Kenya, it’s already here—powered by the earth’s own heartbeat.
About iXAfrica Data Centres
iXAfrica Data Centres in Nairobi, Kenya is East Africa’s First and Largest Hyper-scale Carrier-neutral, AI-ready Data Centre and the latest digital habitat for cloud, colocation, and connectivity. iXAfrica provides world-class and highly resilient Data Centre infrastructure to create a vital part of the internet backbone of East Africa. With a Nairobi Campus (NBOX1) overall design capacity of 22.5MW, iXAfrica has the largest Data Centre project in the Greater East African region serving a total population of 300 million people. The campus is situated next to the main fiber optic communications arteries and is in close proximity to major and resilient electrical connections, capable of delivering high-availability and low-carbon power. Over 90% of Kenya’s electricity is generated from renewable/clean energy sources.
