Greek multinational Amaco Energy Group has partnered with US energy equipment and services company GE Vernova to provide gas turbines for its proposed $1.5 billion (Sh194.2 billion) artificial intelligence (AI) data centre in Mombasa. Also, the deal will see Amaco integrate GE Vernova gas turbines into the Greek firm’s power barge A power barge is an unmotorised floating platform housing a power plant used to generate electricity. Also, the project seeks to cement Kenya’s position as a leading AI infrastructure hub in East and Central Africa, as other countries such as Ethiopia join the race.
The data center is designed to serve as a high-performance computing hub for the region. It seeks to capitalize on Mombasa’s coastal position as East Africa’s major gateway for international undersea fiber-optic cables.
Additionally, the initiative represents one of the largest digital infrastructure proposals in the region. It aims to meet growing local and international demand for cloud processing, artificial intelligence hosting, and enterprise digital services.
How Unique Project HERCULES is
A defining feature of the proposed facility is its intention to operate completely off-grid, bypassing reliance on Kenya’s national electricity network. To power and cool the intensive computational infrastructure, Amaco plans to deploy “Hercules,” an offshore liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered smart-power platform.
Moreover, by integrating power generation, direct cooling, and data center operations into a single floating architecture inside the Port of Mombasa ecosystem, the project aims to mitigate regional grid constraints and eliminate operational risks tied to power outages.
Lastly, Amaco leadership has held discussions with Kenyan authorities and financial institutions in Nairobi. This is in bid to finalize regulatory approvals and secure project support.
While the initiative evolved from an earlier LNG-to-power transmission proposal registered in 2024, the updated blueprint positions the facility as a net contributor to local infrastructure. Also, it has a potential capacity to supply surplus electricity back to the local grid near the Mariakani substation. If approved, the project is expected to take around 28 months to build. It will establish Mombasa as a key digital hub across East Africa.
Project Factsheet
Project Name: Project HERCULES (Molecules-to-Electrons Offshore AI Smart Power & Data Center)
Lead Developer: Amaco Energy Group (Greece)
Primary Tech Partner: GE Vernova (United States)
Project Status: Proposed / Pending Regulatory Approval
Total Valuation: $1.5 billion (approx. KSh 194.2 billion)
Location: Port of Mombasa / Dongo Kundu Ecosystem, Kenya
Target Timeline: Estimated 28-month construction period post-approval
Technical and Infrastructure Specifications
- Power Capacity: Scalable from initial 60–100 MW up to 1,000 MW (1 GW) for regional hyperscale capacity
- Core Technology Integration: GE Vernova gas turbines integrated into an unmotorised floating power barge
- Primary Energy Source: Offshore Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), designed for future conversion to Hydrogen
- Grid Architecture: 100% off-grid autonomous operation with capability to feed surplus electricity to the national grid near Mariakani Substation
- Primary Functions: High-Performance Computing (HPC), Artificial Intelligence hosting, and cloud processing
Strategic Benefits and Regional Impact
- Grid Risk Mitigation: Eliminates operational downtime by bypassing local power grid constraints and supply shortages
- Connectivity Advantage: Capitalizes on Mombasa’s direct access to international undersea fiber-optic cable landing stations
- Industrial Synergy: Supports power demand for the nearby ARISE Coast Integrated Industrial Park and Special Economic Zone.
Project Team
AMACO Energy Group: Greek multinational energy firm acting as the primary developer, project sponsor, and operator of the HERCULES platform.
GE Vernova: US-based energy equipment and services company partnering to supply and integrate gas turbines and electrification technologies into the floating power barge.
Key Stakeholders and Targeted Ecosystem Partners
Kenya Ports Authority (KPA): Strategic public authority overseeing the Port of Mombasa and Kilindini ecosystems where the offshore platform is proposed to anchor.
ARISE Coast Integrated Industrial Park: Industrial development partner operating within the nearby 3,000-acre Dongo Kundu Special Economic Zone, targeted for integrated power off-take.
Kenyan Regulatory and Energy Authorities: Kenyan government agencies and financial institutions in Nairobi responsible for approving the regulatory, environmental, and grid integration frameworks.
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