Kenya’s state-owned KenGen has noted that it will support Southern Africa’s Eswatini in advancing its geothermal exploration. The Kenya Energy Generating Company is making advancements as it spreads its wings more outside Kenya’s borders. This comes a couple weeks after engineers from the energy generation company also started drilling for geothermal power in Tanzania. The company is also exploring other avenues to diversify its revenue such as the recent launch of solar power kits. KenGen’s CEO, Eng. Peter Njenga, noted that they will collaborate with Eswatini Electricity Company (EEC) to harness renewable energy. Furthermore, he noted that the company’s success in Kenya’s geothermal energy sector has played a critical role in advancements.
“Our success in developing Kenya’s geothermal sector has positioned us as a trusted partner for other African countries. We are proud to share our experience and contribute to Africa’s sustainable future,” he said. He also noted that the expertise in Eswatini was both a commercial venture and a demonstration of leadership in Africa’s clean energy transition. On the other hand, EEC’s Mphumuzi Maziya noted his optimism in the partnership on geothermal exploration. Eswatini’s electricity landscape remained heavily dependent on imports from neighboring South Africa and Mozambique, a trend it seeks to change. One of the ways is by venturing to other sources of renewable energy, such as solar and geothermal.
The State of Affairs Regarding KenGen Geothermal Exploration in Eswatini
KenGen Geothermal Exploration in Eswatini is one that opens doors to numerous advantages for both countries. Mphumuzi lauded the latest venture as he commended his government for making domestic generation a national priority. He noted that unlocking the country’s geothermal will represent a breakthrough opportunity to strengthen self-sufficiency. Furthermore, it will keep pace with global trends in geothermal energy adoption. “We aim to generate base load power using renewable energy, ensuring a cleaner and more reliable electricity supply for the nation,” he said. The move is in line with commitments to the Paris Climate Agreement (2015). The agreement seeks to enable countries to reduce their carbon emissions footprints, limit global temperatures, and reverse climate-induced calamities. Speaking earlier, KenGen’s MD said that the company had been awarded exploration rights in Zambia and Tanzania. Furthermore, he noted that drilling was ongoing in Ethiopia, Djibouti and Eswatini. The company is commited to deploy its technological support and decade-old expertise to assist the five nations.
