Kenya is set to become home to a cutting-edge, renewable energy-powered cloud data center, fueled entirely by geothermal energy. This ambitious project is a collaboration between Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen), Microsoft, and G42, a UAE-based AI and cloud computing company.
The Olkaria Data Center Campus: A Visionary Project
The $1 billion Microsoft-G42 Olkaria data center campus, scheduled to break ground in Q3 2024, represents a significant milestone in Kenya’s digital transformation.
The East Africa Cloud Region, expected to go live within 24 months, will provide scalable, secure, and high-speed cloud computing and AI capabilities, accelerating innovation across Kenya, East Africa, and the entire continent.
Harnessing Kenya’s Geothermal Potential
KenGen, the project’s host, will leverage its iconic Olkaria geothermal fields to power the data center campus. This sustainable approach aligns with Kenya’s commitment to renewable energy and environmental stewardship.
The country boasts an impressive installed geothermal capacity of about 980MW, ranking seventh globally in geothermal power generation.
The Green Energy Park in Olkaria, spanning 342 hectares, will house the data center campus alongside a diverse range of industrial and non-industrial activities.
The park’s masterplan envisions a vibrant ecosystem of offices, research and development centers, hospitality spaces, and more, all powered by clean geothermal energy.
A Catalyst for Digital Transformation and Economic Growth
This landmark project not only redefines industrialization in the region but also positions Kenya as a leader in sustainable data infrastructure.
The East Africa Cloud Region will offer Microsoft Azure cloud services, powered by G42’s green data centers, providing a robust foundation for digital transformation across various sectors.
President William Ruto has expressed his support for the project, highlighting its alignment with Kenya’s aspiration to become a technological innovation hub and foster a thriving digital economy for Africa and beyond.
KenGen’s Commitment to Green Energy
KenGen’s Managing Director and CEO, Peter Njenga, affirmed the company’s readiness to provide the necessary green energy to power the project.
This initiative follows another groundbreaking ceremony last year for a Tier IV Data Center at the KenGen Green Energy Park, further solidifying the park’s role as a catalyst for industrialization and sustainable development in the region.
The geothermal-powered cloud data center in Kenya is a landmark project with far-reaching implications. It demonstrates the potential of renewable energy to power large-scale data infrastructure and highlights the growing importance of sustainable solutions in the digital age.