Kenya has inked a groundbreaking agreement with the United Arab Emirates to establish the world’s first geothermal energy-powered data center.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by EcoCloud, Kenya’s leading data center solutions provider, and G42, an Emirati firm specializing in artificial intelligence (AI). The signing ceremony was witnessed by Kenyan President William Ruto and the UAE’s Ambassador to Kenya, Salim Ibrahim Binahmed Mohamed Alnaqbi.
This project symbolizes a significant step towards a more environmentally friendly digital future for Kenya and the surrounding region. CEO of EcoCloud, Eng. Amos Siwoi, highlighted the fact that, by utilizing geothermal energy, the project will meet the region’s data needs while also establishing a new benchmark for environmentally friendly infrastructure.
Echoing this statement, G42’s Group CEO, Peng Xiao, commented that the geothermal-powered data center represents a milestone in recognizing Kenya’s potential as a global digital hub. It aligns well with their mission of making AI accessible to everyone, everywhere.
Despite having vast untapped geothermal resources, Kenya will see the construction of a 100-megawatt (MW) facility during the project’s initial phase. This capacity is set to significantly increase in the future, ultimately reaching a total of 1 gigawatt (GW) at full capacity.
The data center aims to reduce Kenya’s dependency on fossil fuels, thus decreasing carbon emissions and contributing to efforts in environmental conservation.
By leveraging geothermal energy, the project sets the course for a greener and more sustainable future for not only Africa but also the rest of the world.
