JA Solar International Ltd
MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company
IVECO S.p.A.*
Metalgalante S.p.A.
Synergy Consulting IFA Inc.
ICE - Italian Trade Commission techna
Condra Cranes and Hoists
African Review

twitter Facebook Linkedin acp Contact Us

Kenya's first RLSF-covered geothermal project

ATIDI and Globeleq boost Kenya’s renewable energy with pioneering geothermal initiative, reinforcing regional sustainability goals.

On the opening day of the Africa Energy Forum (AEF), African Trade & Investment Development Insurance (ATIDI) and Globeleq Africa Limited announced their partnership for the 35MW Globeleq Menengai Geothermal Project

This collaboration involves providing liquidity cover via the Regional Liquidity Support Facility (RLSF).

RLSF, a credit enhancement tool available to renewable energy Independent Power Producers (IPPs) selling electricity to state-owned power utilities, is a joint initiative by ATIDI, the KfW Development Bank, and the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad). This support is extended to ATIDI member countries that sign the RLSF Memorandum of Understanding.

RLSF: Catalysing energy transformation

The Menengai project, the first in Kenya to receive RLSF cover, is valued at US$117mn. It is financed by the African Development Bank (AfDB), the Eastern and Southern African Development Bank (TDB), the Finish Fund for Industrial Cooperation (Finnfund), and equity from Globeleq. The RLSF policy will mitigate the risk of payment defaults by Kenya Power & Lighting Company (KPLC) and the Geothermal Development Corporation (GDC), the latter being a government entity promoting geothermal resource development in Kenya. GDC will supply steam to the project under a 25-year agreement, while the electricity produced will be sold exclusively to KPLC over the same period. Additionally, the project has received a Letter of Support from the Government of Kenya.

Kenya, which hosts ATIDI’s headquarters, is the tenth member state to sign the RLSF MoU, joining Benin, Burundi, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Madagascar, Malawi, Togo, Uganda, and Zambia. The MoU fosters collaboration between ATIDI and its member states to identify, develop, and implement renewable energy projects, leveraging each country’s resources to generate clean energy and strengthen power infrastructure. RLSF policies have so far supported seven renewable energy projects across Burundi, Malawi, Uganda, and now Kenya, facilitating US$323.7mn in financing and 171.3MW in total electricity generation capacity, backed by US$20.6mn in cover under the RLSF portfolio.

Kenya's power sector, enriched by an active private sector and abundant renewable resources such as hydro, wind, and geothermal, is set to expand its electricity generation capacity from 3,078MW in 2023 to 5,000MW by 2030. Geothermal projects are crucial to this expansion and the country’s renewable energy targets. ATIDI’s RLSF initiative plays a key role in ensuring the stability and feasibility of these projects, aiding Kenya in its quest to achieve 100% clean energy by 2030.

Manuel Moses, CEO, remarked, "We are proud to collaborate with Globeleq, KPLC, GDC, and the Government of Kenya on this transformative project. This partnership, coming so soon after the signing of the RLSF MoU in February 2024, underscores our commitment to fostering sustainable development and promoting renewable energy solutions across Kenya and the region. Together, we are driving positive change and advancing Kenya's energy transition. Given Globeleq’s huge and growing portfolio of renewable energy projects across the continent, we look forward to building on this partnership.”

Volvo Construction Equipment Germany GmbH

Most Read

The Bell team in Richards Bay consists of more than 800 machinists, welders, and assemblers. (Image source: Bell)

GFE Power Product’s extensive range covers generators from 10 kVA up to 3,000 kVA. (Image source: GFE Power Products)

The funding is the largest-ever equity raise in the minigrid industry according to Husk. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

The initiative will help African contractors participate in annual infrastructure investments. (Image source: Afreximbank)

ITS has evolved into a sophisticated systems approach, providing numerous opportunities to revolutionise road networks. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Invest International’s Lara Muller; Ivory Coast Minister of Finance and Economy, Adam Coulibaly; and Ambassador Designate to Ivory Coast, Jeroen Kelderhuis. (Image source: Invest International)

Inside Condra’s Johannesburg factory: an overhead crane positions an electric motor during assembly of hoist and crab. (Image source: Condra)

The Yellow Metal Machine Rental team with some Wacker Neuson equipment. (Image source: Wacker Neuson)

Although displaying resilience, the report warns that African banks remain exposed to physical climate risks due to both sovereign and industry lending. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

The parties will also promote the mutual exchange of information and expertise in the field of export credit policies and practices. (Image source: TBD Group)

WAA and VCMI will seek to establish regulatory frameworks to enable access to high integrity and fair voluntary carbon markets for WAA member countries. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

IVECO is renewing its entire product range, all at once. (Image source: IVECO)

The MoU was signed alongside the Africa Health Business Symposium. (Image source: Africa CDC)

Both the IMF and EIU expect SSA to rank as the world’s second fastest growing economy in 2024. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

There has been a focus on the sugar industry. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Latest news

BII commits US$75mn to second Green Basket Bond with Symbiotics Investments to finance small-scale green projects in Africa, South, and South-East Asia. (Image source:

Transforming Africa's digital economy: Data Centres powering growth, innovation, and sustainability in the digital era. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

The Linnhoff TSD1500 Asphalt Mixing Plant is undertaking crucial work on two rural road projects in Kenya. (Image source: Lintec & Linnhoff)

AI-driven energy-sharing platform will be integrated with ABB energy management technology. (Image source: ABB)

ENGIE Energy Access starts mini-grid construction in Zambia. (Image source: ENGIE Energy Access)

ATIDI and Globeleq boost Kenya’s renewable energy with pioneering geothermal initiative, reinforcing regional sustainability goals.

This partnership aims to enhance sustainable development and advance climate action initiatives throughout the continent. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Orange Energies has aimed to make energy more accessible, becoming a preferred partner for energy producers in regions where half the population lacks electricity. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Global primary energy consumption overall was at a record absolute high in 2023. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Hesham El Shamy, oil & gas sector lead at Aggreko AMEA. (Image source: Aggreko)

According to DNV, wind and solar anticipated to generate 70% of the world's electricity by 2050. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

The 100% hydrogen-ready engine is expected to be available for orders in 2025, and available for delivery from 2026. (Image source: Wärtsilä Energy)

A cat technician walking amongst the gensets at the Wentworth power plant in Tanzania. (Image source: Cat)

The first Jinko Solar BESS project was in Africa. (Image source: Jinko Solar)

Esther Kimani is the third woman and second Kenyan to win the Africa Prize. (Image source: Royal Academy of Engineering)

Genset BuyersGuide
Construction Buyers Guide