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Djibouti Pays KenGen: $1M Offer on a Five-Year Geothermal Drilling Debt

Djibouti Pays KenGen: A $1 Million Offer on a Five-Year-Old Geothermal Drilling Debt Djibouti has finally moved to pay part of what it owes Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) for drilling work done near Lake Assal. The amount is small next to KenGen's balance sheet. What it says about selling geothermal drilling services across Africa matters a lot more. KenGen's latest annual report says Djibouti's state geothermal agency, the Office Djiboutien de Développement de l'Énergie Géothermique (ODDEG), has offered a first instalment of about $1 million (Sh129 million) against outstanding invoices of $2.13 million (Sh276.03 million), according to Business Daily. "ODDEG has acknowledged the debt and has proposed an initial payment of $1 million as the first instalment towards settlement," KenGen said in the report. KenGen is Kenya's largest power producer, with about 54% of the market. The Kenyan government owns 70% of the company and the public holds t...

Google Partners With NV Energy and Fervo To Power Its Data Centers

Google’s Bold Step Towards Carbon-Free Energy: A Geothermal Power Partnership with Buffett's NV Energy

By:Robert Buluma

In a significant move towards sustainable energy, Alphabet Inc.'s Google has forged a partnership with Nevada’s utility giant, NV Energy, and the innovative geothermal startup, Fervo Energy. This collaboration marks a strategic effort to power Google’s data centers using clean, renewable energy derived from the Earth's heat.

Harnessing Earth's Heat for Tech Giants

Geothermal energy, unlike its solar and wind counterparts, offers a distinct advantage: it can operate continuously, providing a steady stream of electricity 24/7. By tapping into the heat stored in underground rocks, geothermal plants generate electricity without any carbon emissions. Fervo Energy employs advanced horizontal drilling techniques within geothermal reservoirs to maximize energy output, making this source of energy even more efficient.

Powering the Future with Geothermal Energy

According to a statement from Google, Fervo Energy will develop a geothermal power plant capable of producing 115 megawatts of electricity. This energy will be supplied to NV Energy, a subsidiary of Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Energy. Once state regulators approve the agreement, NV Energy will then sell this clean power to Google. The 115 megawatts of electricity are substantial enough to power approximately 86,000 homes, underscoring the impact and scale of this initiative.

Meeting Ambitious Climate Goals

For tech giants like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon—collectively known as hyperscalers—the push towards decarbonizing operations is both a moral imperative and a business necessity. These companies are under significant pressure from both internal stakeholders and external environmental advocates to meet their climate goals. Google, in particular, has committed to running entirely on carbon-free energy 24/7 by 2030. This partnership with NV Energy and Fervo Energy is a critical step towards achieving that vision.

The Bigger Picture

Data centers, essential for the modern digital economy, consume vast amounts of electricity. As the demand for data storage and processing continues to grow, so does the need for sustainable energy solutions. By investing in geothermal energy, Google is not only reducing its carbon footprint but also setting a precedent for the industry. This initiative highlights the potential for renewable energy sources to meet the high demands of today's technological infrastructure.

In a world increasingly aware of the environmental impact of industrial activities, Google's proactive approach to sourcing clean energy is a promising development. As state regulators review this agreement, the collaboration between Google, NV Energy, and Fervo Energy stands as a testament to the power of innovation and sustainability working hand in hand. This venture not only aligns with global climate goals but also paves the way for a more sustainable future in the tech industry.

Data Centers consume alot of Energy and Kenya is amongst the few companies that use Geothermal Power in their data Centers

Connect With Us:Alphaxioms

Source:Yahoo Finance

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