The 3rd Geothermal Conference 2026 kicked off on May 4, 2026, in Nairobi amid renewed calls by sector stakeholders to position geothermal as the primary energy source for industrialisation and Kenya's pursuit of stable, reliable power.
Opening the conference, Principal Secretary for Energy, Mr. Alex Wachira, reiterated the significance of geothermal in driving industrial growth, noting that no country can achieve meaningful development without a stable and secure energy base.
"Energy is fundamental to socio-economic transformation and in this regard, geothermal stands as a proven pillar of reliability, stability, and long-term economic growth. No country can industrialise, nor can any economy flourish, on unstable or insufficient energy," he said.
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The PS lauded GDC's role in elevating Kenya's geothermal standing, noting the country's position as Africa's leading producer and its current global ranking.
"Kenya ranks 7th in geothermal energy production globally and maintains its position as Africa's leading producer, a status achieved through deliberate policy decisions, sustained investments, and robust institutional frameworks.
"At the heart of this transformation is the Geothermal Development Company (GDC), a Special Purpose Vehicle established to de-risk geothermal resources and make them attractive for development by public and private entities. GDC has performed exceptionally well as an enabler," he added.
PS Wachira noted that Kenya's next phase of geothermal growth will hinge on innovation and technology, challenging conference delegates to accelerate solutions that drive development.
© GDC Principal Secretary for Energy, Mr. Alex Wachira gives the opening remarks at the 2026 geothermal conference
"The next phase of growth will hinge on innovation and technology. This conference is therefore a timely opportunity to deliberate on key innovation and technological aspects that are necessary to drive accelerated geothermal development," he said, adding that focus will expand beyond electricity generation to include direct-use applications.
"Geothermal direct use applications in Kenya is no longer a mirage, but a lot of progress has been made to demonstrate commercially viable ventures that are ready for upscaling," he added, citing five pilot projects at Menengai as proof of concept for industrial application.
While noting the significe of the conference in providing a critical opportunity to interrogate ideas, share knowledge, and co-create solutions that will move the geothermal sector to the next level, GDC Board Chairman Hon. Walter Nyambati highlighted GDC progress in geothermal development, particularly the gains realised so far in Menengai Geothermal Project.
"The Menengai Geothermal Project is no longer a promise. It is a reality. Today, Menengai is contributing 70 megawatts to the national grid, a significant milestone for a relatively new geothermal field," he said.
"The future of geothermal lies in scale, innovation, and investment. We must continue to open up opportunities for investors, deepen partnerships, and create an enabling environment that attracts capital into this sector," Hon. Nyambati added.
On his part Ag. MD and CEO Mr. Stephen Busieney echoed the central role of geothermal in industrialisation, noting that its development was firmly anchored in the strategic vision of the company which seeks to deepen exploration, accelerate commercialization, and expand geothermal use beyond electricity.
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"This is where the real transformation lies. In fact, geothermal energy should move beyond the grid and into broader economic applications-supporting industries, agriculture, and communities. At Menengai, we have already demonstrated this, and the next step is to scale these solutions into commercially viable ventures," said Mr. Busieney.
The three-day conference will feature technical sessions, exhibitions, and high-level policy dialogues focused on scaling geothermal capacity, accelerating investment, and expanding direct-use applications across key sectors. Delegates will also visit Menengai for a practical view of ongoing developments and GDC's operational progress.
Source: GDC
