Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Kenyans.co.ke
Published on 2024-03-06 16:18:47
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Kenya have formalized a partnership with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the construction of a state-of-the-art data center in the country. The data center, expected to cost Ksh 2.86 billion ($20 million), will be the first in Africa to be fully powered by geothermal energy.
The signing ceremony of the MOU took place at State House Nairobi and was attended by President William Ruto, the UAE Ambassador to Kenya Salim Ibrahim Binahmed Mohamed Alnaqbi, and officials from both EcoCloud and G42, the companies involved in the project. This collaboration is set to facilitate the construction of the data center in Naivasha.
Amos Siwoi, CEO of EcoCloud, emphasized the significance of harnessing geothermal energy for the construction of the data center, stating that it not only meets the region’s data needs but also sets a new standard for eco-friendly infrastructure. The data center will be situated in KenGen’s Energy Park within a 342-hectare space designated for industrial and non-industrial activities.
The project is expected to boost Kenya’s digital economy by serving as a link between the East Africa data market and the global market. Peng Xiao, Group CEO of G42, highlighted the importance of the geothermal-powered data center in positioning Kenya as a global digital hub and making intelligence accessible worldwide.
The launch of the Ecocloud Data Centre in Olkaria in September 2023 marked a significant milestone in Kenya’s digital infrastructure development. Named Project Eagle after the migration of eagles from Europe to East Africa, this project is the first investment within the KenGen industrial park. Initially powered by 1,000 Megawatts of geothermal energy, the project’s capacity is expected to be upscaled in the future.
The government of Kenya is committed to reducing its reliance on hydro-energy and is looking to diversify its energy sources. By 2027, the government aims to complete the construction of the first Nuclear Power Plant through the Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NuPEA), further solidifying its energy strategy.
The partnership between UAE and Kenya for the construction of the geothermal-powered data center represents a significant step towards sustainable and innovative infrastructure development in the region. This project underscores the commitment of both countries to leverage renewable energy sources for economic growth and technological advancement.
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