Exergy to pursue East Africa’s clean energy opportunity

Clean energy group Exergy International has established a permanent local presence in Nairobi as its gateway to Kenya and the wider East African region

The opening allows the company, which is headquartered in Italy and a part of TICA Group, to pursue opportunities in geothermal power, renewable energy and industrial energy efficiency.

“After several years of studying the market and evaluating its opportunities, we are pleased to establish Exergy East Africa Ltd and begin a new phase of direct engagement in Africa,” said Luca Pozzoni, deputy CEO of Exergy.

“The region combines exceptional renewable resources with fast-growing demand for reliable and affordable electricity.”

From Nairobi, the newsubsidairy will work more closely with customers, project developers, industrial partners and institutions, gaining a deeper understanding of market requirements and providing direct support throughout the development of new energy projects.

“Africa will be a strategic growth market for Exergy in the years ahead and we aim to support its energy development with technologies and international expertise that can strengthen industrial growth, energy resilience and a responsible and equitable transition,” added Pozzoni.

In a statement, the company cited Africa’s exceptional renewable resources and rapidly growing electricity demand, describing it as one of the most attractive markets for energy and infrastructure development.

Private-sector clean energy investment in Africa almost tripled, from approximately US$17bn in 2019 to nearly US$40bn in 2024.

However, the statement noted that investment remains below the levels needed to support future demand and achieve the continent’s energy and development objectives, leaving “considerable opportunities” for new projects, technologies and long-term industrial partnerships.

Kenya, for years a regional renewable energy leader with its geothermal history, is a prime example.

Exergy said that it selected Kenya as the base for its East African operations because of the country’s established renewable energy ecosystem, strategic regional position and recognised leadership in geothermal development.

The country is already the world’s sixth-largest geothermal market, with around 980 MW of installed capacity and an estimated potential of up to 10 GW.

Across the wider East African Rift System, largely untapped geothermal resources have been estimated at up to 20 GW.

“Together with growing opportunities in solar power, energy storage and industrial energy efficiency, this creates a broader market for technologies that can provide reliable power generation, improve efficiency and reduce emissions,” the statement noted.

As well as nurturing closer relationships with local stakeholders, understanding regulatory and technical requirements, and becoming involved in projects from their earliest stages, the Nairobi office will also serve as a platform for developing opportunities in geothermal generation, renewable energy, industrial waste-heat recovery, energy storage and energy efficiency.

Matteo Cavadini will be permanently based in Nairobi and serve as business development manager for Africa, working alongside Erdoğan Arpacı, general manager of Exergy Turkey, who leads the company’s business development activities across Africa, and Pozzoni.

“A permanent presence in Nairobi will allow us to engage directly with the market and build relationships based on continuity, local knowledge and shared objectives,” said Arpacı.

“We want to work alongside customers and partners from the earliest stages of project development, combining Exergy’s international engineering and operational experience with a clear understanding of local priorities and operating conditions.”

The company said that it will primarily focus on projects where advanced energy-conversion technologies can improve efficiency, reliability and long-term economic performance.Its portfolio combines Organic Rankine Cycle solutions for geothermal power generation and industrial waste-heat recovery with high-efficiency heat pumps and battery energy storage systems.

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