Speaking on Thursday at the groundbreaking of a 35MW geothermal power plant in Menengai, Nakuru County, Ruto highlighted the project as a key component in Kenya’s push for energy security and economic growth.
The President underscored the importance of public-private partnerships (PPPs) in unlocking Kenya’s vast geothermal potential, noting that the collaboration with the Indian-based Adani Group would ease the financial burden on taxpayers.
“The Adani group is investing Ksh.95 billion of their own money into this project. Without such investments, we would have had to borrow this amount, further burdening the Kenyan people,” he said.
The agreement, which involves the development, financing, construction, and operation of transmission lines and substations across the country, is expected to mitigate Kenya’s long-standing power outage problems.
Ruto emphasized that the deal, though involving a company linked to past controversies, was essential for the country’s energy ambitions.
“This investment isn’t funded by the government. Adani is putting in Ksh.12 billion to generate power, and we will simply buy that energy from them under pre-agreed terms,” he explained.
Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi confirmed the signing of the Ksh.95.68 billion deal between KETRACO and Adani.
Wandayi noted that the transmission infrastructure would be critical in stabilizing Kenya’s energy supply as the country works toward achieving a fully connected electric grid by 2030.
The Menengai power plant, to be managed by Orpower TwentyTwo, will transmit electricity to several counties, including Meru, Nyeri, and Nanyuki.
Ruto highlighted the potential for growth in geothermal energy, stating that while Kenya has so far harnessed only 950MW of its nearly 10,000MW geothermal potential, projects like Menengai are just the beginning of more sustainable energy development.
As part of Kenya’s wider geothermal expansion, the country is also advancing operations in Olkaria, Eburru, and Baringo, where an additional 75MW of energy has been proven and is expected to be added to the national grid soon.
The President expressed confidence that these energy investments will fuel industrial growth and create jobs, positioning Kenya as a regional leader in renewable energy.