By Katharina Oemmelen, Project C02 “Energy Futures”
October 2026
To mark the start of CRC’s third phase, the C02 “Energy Futures” working group, made up of three PhD researchers Hannan, Herbert and Ravn, two Postdocs Hilman and Katharina, and our two PLs Britta and Clemens, recently travelled to Kenya. We spent the first couple of days in Nairobi, where we were warmly greeted by stakeholders working to develop the country’s energy sector. In numerous interviews, and over lunches and dinners, we discussed the role of geothermal energy alongside other sources in shaping Kenya’s green industrial development and helping it reach its Agenda 2030 goals. Kenya recently became the sixth country to join the “1 GW Club”, having surpassed 1 GW of installed geothermal capacity, which confirms its role as a leading player in the international geothermal sector.
Leaving Nairobi’s cityscape behind, we passed the equator, and headed north towards Nakuru and Baringo County. The drive took us through Kenya’s Rift Valley, which not only offers remarkable views, but also provides the geological foundation for geothermal development.
To see how steam from deep underground becomes electricity, our partners from GDC (Geothermal Development Company) accompanied us on site visits to the Menengai geothermal field in Nakuru, which already supplies 105 GW to the national grid, and to Paka geothermal site in Baringo county, where drilling is currently underway.
Of course, the trip also provided ample opportunity to get to know each other, to ponder the big and small questions of energy and development, and to take in the beauty of Kenya’s rural landscapes. One of my personal highlights was a baby donkey that crossed our path just before we entered Menengai.
A big thank you to stakeholders from GDC, KenGen, the Ministry of Energy, NuPEA, Sosian Energy, Kaishan and KFW, and many more for welcoming our newest research group members to the field and discussing the technical, financial, political and social implications of geothermal infrastructure and green industrial development with us! We look forward to exploring how Kenya’s energy and industrial futures unfold over the coming years.
