The Geothermal Development Company (GDC) is committed to build the geothermal capacity of African Countries in a bid to transform the region into a powerhouse.
Speaking in Naivasha, Nakuru County the inaugural African Geothermal Center of Excellence (AGCE) short training, the GDC General Manager,Strategy, Research & Innovation, Dr. George Muia, noted that GDC is playing a critical role in providing geothermal solutions in the continent.
The African Union Commission has pledged to support GDC’s efforts towards capacity building in the area of geothermal in the region.
“GDC is fully committed to the capacity enterprise. We have built an expert base in geothermal resource development that cuts across all disciplines from drilling expertise to direct use,” Dr. Muia said.
On its part, the African Union (AU) has assured that Kenya will be one of the African nations that will benefit from a grant of $ 80 Million that will be channeled towards geothermal exploration, infrastructure and research.
Speaking at the ceremony in Naivasha, the AU Energy Expert Mr. Philippe Niyongabo, reiterated that GDC will be supported in ensuring that the training programme succeeds.
“We have a role to play as a continental institution. Ministers of Energy in African countries agreed to enhance capacity building in geothermal and it’s good this Center of Excellence has taken off,” he said.
The training is being implemented with support from the African Union – AFREC, and United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) through GDC and KenGen, under the auspices of the Ministry of Energy.
A total of 22 students from 11 African countries will attend the ten-day training on various aspects of geothermal development. KenGen will later host them for further training.
The training aims to strengthen and enhance the capacities and skills in basic geothermal knowledge.
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