Delegates attending the recently concluded GDC Geothermal Conference 2026 were on Thursday, May 7, 2026, treated to an immersive field tour of the Menengai Geothermal Project, where Kenya’s clean energy ambitions came alive beyond the conference halls.
The visit offered participants a firsthand experience of how geothermal steam is converted into reliable electricity powering homes, industries and economies.
Set against the rugged Menengai caldera landscape, the geothermal field drew excitement from delegates who paused frequently to snap steaming wells, massive pipelines and the popular “I Love GDC” signage that quickly became a favourite photo spot.
Aldo Piacentini, CEO of Intec GMK, described Menengai as one of the most impressive geothermal projects he had witnessed, praising Kenya’s ability to transform geothermal potential into actual power delivery.
“What stands out most at Menengai is not only the scale of the infrastructure but also the speed and coordination behind it. You can clearly see strong partnerships between government, private investors and local experts,” he said.
Mr. Solomon Sang of Powerflo added: “There is a lot the Continent can learn from Kenya’s geothermal journey. Seeing the operations on-site gives confidence that Africa has both the expertise and the potential to become a global leader in renewable energy development.”
Global Energy Assets’ Colleen Kahega said the field experience offered valuable practical insight into geothermal production beyond classroom learning, calling for more exposure for young people in the sector.
“Projects like Menengai prove that industrial growth and climate action do not have to compete. Geothermal offers countries an opportunity to industrialise sustainably while maintaining low emissions,” she observed.
Delegates toured power plants, steam gathering systems, drilling infrastructure, cooling systems, laboratories, drilling simulators and real-time control rooms.
Many expressed keen interest in plant efficiency, power distribution and environmental sustainability, with GDC and Sosian engineers guiding them.
Vincent Kato, Uganda’s Commissioner for Geothermal, praised the technologies showcased at Menengai and expressed interest in collaboration with Kenya.
“From the drilling simulator to direct use and the laboratories, there is a lot we can learn from Menengai. We look forward to working closely with GDC experts as Uganda advances its geothermal development plans,” he noted.
A moment for the memories… visiting delegates capture moments at the iconic “I Love GDC” site.
