Kenya and UAE Ink Deal for Groundbreaking Geothermal Data Center

Kenya and UAE Ink Deal for Groundbreaking Geothermal Data Center

By Staff Writer, 12 March 2024

Kenya has embarked on a pioneering venture with the United Arab Emirates, marking a historic milestone as they collaborate to establish the world's premier geothermal energy-powered data center.

In a momentous occasion, EcoCloud, a leading data center solutions provider in Kenya, and G42, an Emirati firm specializing in artificial intelligence (AI), officially sealed the deal with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

The ceremony, graced by Kenyan President William Ruto and UAE's Ambassador to Kenya, Salim Ibrahim Binahmed Mohamed Alnaqbi, showcased the commitment of both nations towards sustainable technological advancement, fostering an eco-friendly digital landscape not only in Kenya but across the wider region.

Eng. Amos Siwoi, CEO of EcoCloud, emphasized the transformative potential of harnessing geothermal energy, underscoring its ability to cater to the region's escalating data demands while establishing a new standard for environmentally conscious infrastructure.

Echoing Siwoi's sentiments, Peng Xiao, Group CEO of G42, hailed the geothermal-powered data center as a testament to Kenya's burgeoning prominence as a global digital hub.

He noted the alignment of this endeavor with G42's mission of democratizing access to AI technologies worldwide.

Despite Kenya's abundance of untapped geothermal resources, the initial phase of the project will witness the construction of a 100-megawatt (MW) facility, with plans for substantial expansion in the future, ultimately culminating in a colossal 1 gigawatt (GW) capacity.

This ambitious undertaking aims to curtail Kenya's reliance on fossil fuels, thereby mitigating carbon emissions and contributing to broader environmental conservation efforts.

By harnessing the inexhaustible potential of geothermal energy, this initiative charts a course towards a greener and more sustainable future, not only for Africa but for the global community at large.

Source: Tapiwa Matthew Mutisi / Innovation Village

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