GDC and Turkana County Goverment Reaches Consensus On Geothermal Project

Turkana County Government and Geothermal Development Company Sign Collaborative Framework Agreement for Geothermal Development

By :Robert Buluma

In an exciting development for the region, the Turkana County Government and the Geothermal Development Company GDChave signed a groundbreaking Collaborative Framework Agreement (CFA). The agreement marks a major milestone in the pursuit of harnessing Turkana County’s geothermal potential, opening doors to significant economic growth and opportunities for the local community.

Key Areas of Collaboration

The CFA outlines several strategic areas where both parties will collaborate to unlock the full potential of Turkana's geothermal resources. These key points include:

Joint Marketing of Geothermal Opportunities: Both parties will work together to promote and market geothermal opportunities in the region to attract investment and expertise.
Collaboration in Scientific Surface Studies: A strong focus will be placed on conducting in-depth scientific studies to understand the geothermal landscape better, enabling informed decision-making and sustainable development.
Creation of Industrial Parks: The development of industrial parks in the area will serve as hubs for geothermal-related industries, further boosting economic activities and creating jobs.
Provision of Infrastructure: GDC has pledged to assist in providing critical infrastructure like roads and water to local communities, improving the living standards of the residents.

Governor Lomorukai’s Support

Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai of Turkana County welcomed the CFA, calling it an excellent starting point for building a prosperous future for the county. He emphasized the importance of strong partnerships in driving the region's growth and urged both GDC and the county team to focus on developing policies that support this initiative. Governor Lomorukai also noted that such partnerships are vital for the economic upliftment of Turkana’s people and for attracting more investment into the region.

GDC’s Commitment to Turkana’s Development

Leading the GDC team at the signing ceremony were Board Chairman Hon. Walter Nyambati and MD/CEO Mr. Paul Ngugi, who both expressed their excitement about the new partnership. Mr. Ngugi described the CFA as a crucial step toward unlocking Turkana’s geothermal potential, which is one of the richest in the country. He thanked the county government for their cooperation and commitment to the development of this vital energy resource.

GDC’s leadership also highlighted the tremendous benefits that geothermal development can bring to Turkana, including job creation, energy supply, and sustainable economic growth.

Establishing a Working Committee

Both parties agreed to form a working committee that will be responsible for overseeing the implementation of the CFA. This committee will ensure that the goals outlined in the agreement are met and that the geothermal development process is carried out effectively and efficiently.

Transparency and Local Engagement

In a bid to promote transparency, GDC assured the county that its procurement processes will be open and accessible to all qualified entities. Additionally, GDC expressed plans to engage with and train local businesspeople in Turkana on government procurement procedures, providing them with the knowledge and skills needed to participate in these lucrative opportunities.

The signing of the Collaborative Framework Agreement between Turkana County Government and GDC is a significant step toward realizing the vast geothermal potential in the region. By working together, both entities aim to foster economic growth, improve infrastructure, and uplift local communities. This partnership is a model for how strategic collaboration can pave the way for sustainable development, and it holds great promise for the future of Turkana County.

GDC has always been at the center stage of developing the Kenyan Geothermal resources and just like Turkana , Suswa is another prospect on the brink of providing energy from the heat beneath our feet.

The CFA is set to have a lasting impact, and as the project moves forward, it’s expected to bring about lasting changes that will benefit the people of Turkana and Kenya as a whole.

Source: gdc

Connect With Us: Alphaxioms

Comments

Hot Topics 🔥

Inside the Geothermal Startup Mind: The Strategy, Funding & Sacrifices Behind Teverra’s Growth

Inside a Geothermal Startup’s Mind: Strategy, Funding, Ethics, and the Brutal Race to Commercialize This interview was done by Robert Buluma on behalf of Alphaxioms Image: The Interviewee, Dr. Hamed Soroush is the Founder and President at Teverra There’s a certain kind of silence that exists inside fast-growing startups. Not the quiet of peace, but the quiet of pressure . It’s the silence of teams racing to commercialize before competitors arrive. The silence of founders balancing mission and survival. The silence of a clean energy industry that desperately needs success stories… but is still learning how to measure them. In this one-on-one interview, we explore what it really takes to build a geothermal-driven clean energy company in today’s market, from strategic decisions and funding discipline to leadership, ethics, and the painful sacrifices behind growth. 1) Vision & Strategy: “Speed Is Everything” Q: Teverra has grown rapidly, but co...

Geothermal Power Play: Well Engineering Partners Takes Over Operations as Sproule ERCE Sharpens Advisory Focus

The geothermal energy sector is heating up literally and figuratively and a recent strategic move is set to accelerate progress in sustainable energy production. By: Robert Buluma Effective January 1, 2026, Well Engineering Partners (WEP) acquired the operational and production-focused geothermal activities from Sproule ERC (formerly associated with Veegeo). This acquisition marks a smart realignment of strengths in the booming geothermal market, where clean, reliable baseload energy is increasingly vital for the global energy transition. Imagine harnessing the Earth's natural heat to power homes, industries, and cities without the intermittency of solar or wind. Geothermal energy does exactly that, providing constant output from deep underground reservoirs. But turning that potential into reality requires specialized expertise from initial resource assessment to long-term well maintenance. That's where this deal shines: it allows each company to double down on what they do b...

Europe's Geothermal Transition: Why Repurposing Oil Wells Isn't as Simple as It Sounds

Repurposing Hydrocarbon Wells for Geothermal Applications Insights from Our Interview with Christi on EGS, Storage, and Europe’s Energy Transition Christi is a Geothermal Resource Engineer and PhD Researcher, specializing in deep geothermal systems, closed-loop systems, well repurposing (especially converting old oil/gas wells for geothermal use), Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS), and Deep Borehole Heat Exchangers (DBHE). What if the thousands of oil and gas wells scattered across Europe could become the backbone of the geothermal transition? In our recent interview with Christi, a leading researcher involved in the TRANSGEO project, we explored the technical, economic, and regulatory realities of repurposing hydrocarbon wells for geothermal applications , particularly for Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS), thermal storage, and district heating integration. From case studies like Groß Schönebeck to regional analysis in Lausitz, Christi offered a grounded and technical perspective o...

KenGen Launches International Tender for Essential Geothermal Wellhead

KenGen Launches International Tender for Essential Geothermal Wellhead Equipment Amid Kenya's Green Energy Push In a significant move to bolster its geothermal energy infrastructure, Kenya Electricity Generating Company PLC (KenGen) has issued an open international tender for the supply of specialized geothermal wellhead equipment. The tender, referenced as KGN-GDD-025-2026, focuses on expanding gate valves and adaptor flanges—critical components used in geothermal wellheads to manage high-pressure steam and ensure safe, efficient energy extraction. Released in January 2026, this procurement opportunity underscores KenGen's ongoing commitment to expanding Kenya's renewable energy capacity, particularly in the geothermal sector, which already accounts for a substantial portion of the country's power generation. Tender Details and Requirements The tender invites sealed bids from eligible candidates worldwide, emphasizing an open competitive process to attract qualified ...

CTR Launches American Data Power: 600 MW Geothermal Complex to Fuel America’s AI & Hyperscale Data Boom at Salton Sea

The recent announcement from Controlled Thermal Resources Holdings Inc. (CTR) marks a significant step in addressing one of the most pressing challenges in the U.S. energy landscape: providing reliable, clean, baseload power for the explosive growth of hyperscale data centers and AI infrastructure. On January 29, 2026, CTR launched American Data Power, a new subsidiary dedicated to delivering a utility-scale 600 MW energy complex in California's Salton Sea Geothermal Field. This initiative advances the next phase of CTR's flagship Hell’s Kitchen development, positioning it as one of the largest baseload renewable energy projects in the country. Geothermal energy stands out in the renewable mix because it delivers continuous, 24/7 power unlike solar or wind, which depend on weather conditions. The proposed complex targets a capacity factor exceeding 95%, ensuring high operational reliability. This makes it ideal for the constant, high-load demands of hyperscale data centers...

The Billion-Dollar Gamble Beneath Our Feet: Why Geothermal Exploration Is the Industry’s Greatest Risk

Exploration Risk: The Billion-Dollar Gamble Beneath Our Feet By: Robert Buluma Image credit: Kane Watikson on LinkedIn Geothermal energy is often described as the sleeping giant of the clean energy transition constant, weather-independent, capable of delivering 24/7 baseload power without the intermittency that defines solar and wind. Yet despite this extraordinary promise, geothermal remains underdeveloped in most parts of the world. The reason is not lack of heat. It is not lack of demand. It is not even lack of technology and not even FINANCE , Whilst many will throw that policy card, but Alphaxioms is already future proofing that . The real barrier lies several kilometers beneath our feet in uncertainty. Exploration risk is the defining challenge of geothermal energy. Unlike wind turbines that can measure wind speeds before construction, or solar farms that can predict output from sunlight data, geothermal developers must make multimillion-d...

7,000 Feet Deep, 338°F: The Game-Changing Sensor Revolutionizing Enhanced Geothermal Systems

Breakthrough in Geothermal Monitoring: Berkeley Lab's High-Temperature Seismometer Powers the Future of Enhanced Geothermal Systems By: Robert Buluma Image: Cape Station, Fervo Owned Geothermal Station Geothermal energy has long been valued as a reliable, clean, and renewable source of power. It draws heat from deep within the Earth to generate electricity with virtually no greenhouse gas emissions during operation. Traditional geothermal plants rely on naturally occurring hot water or steam reservoirs, which restricts development to specific volcanic or tectonically active regions. Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS), however, represent a game-changing evolution. EGS engineers artificial reservoirs in hot, otherwise impermeable rock formations found almost anywhere with sufficient subsurface heat. By injecting fluid under pressure to create and propagate fractures, EGS dramatically expands the geographic reach and scalability of geothermal power, offering the potential for 24/7, c...

Unlocking Africa's Hidden Power: New Zealand and the AU Ignite the Geothermal Revolution

In a landmark diplomatic moment that signals brighter prospects for Africa's clean energy future, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, formally received the Letters of Credentials from H.E. Ms. Olivia Owen, the newly appointed Ambassador of New Zealand to Ethiopia and the African Union, on February 4, 2026. This ceremony marks not just the beginning of a new ambassadorial tenure but a renewed surge of momentum in one of the most promising renewable energy partnerships on the continent: the AU–New Zealand geothermal cooperation. Amid Africa's urgent push to harness its vast geothermal resources—particularly along the East African Rift System—New Zealand's world-renowned expertise in geothermal development stands as a beacon of hope for sustainable, reliable, and affordable power. New Zealand, a global leader in geothermal energy, draws nearly 20% of its electricity from the Earth's natural heat. Its pioneering approaches to exploration...

ORC and Next-Gen: Advantages and Opportunities in Design and Execution

ORC and Next-Gen: Advantages and Opportunities in Design and Execution By: Robert Buluma In the rapidly evolving landscape of renewable energy, the Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) stands out as a versatile and efficient technology for harnessing low-grade heat sources, particularly in geothermal applications. Unlike traditional steam-based Rankine cycles, ORC uses organic fluids with lower boiling points, enabling power generation from temperatures as low as 80-150°C. This makes it ideal for geothermal energy, waste heat recovery, and even solar thermal systems. As we push toward a net-zero future in late 2025, next-generation enhancements to ORC systems are unlocking new advantages in design and execution. These innovations address key challenges like fluctuating energy demands, resource variability, and scalability, paving the way for more reliable and cost-effective clean energy solutions. This article explores the advantages and opportunities in ORC and next-gen technologies. We'l...

Cornell PhD: Earth & Atmospheric Sciences – Fall 2026 Opportunities

Exciting PhD Opportunities in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at Cornell University (Fall 2026 Admission) By: Robert Buluma If you’re a prospective graduate student interested in cutting-edge research in climate science, glaciology, physical oceanography, geospace physics, volcanology, or cryosphere processes, Cornell University’s Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences (EAS) just announced a fantastic set of fully funded PhD positions starting in Fall 2026. The department posted a detailed call on LinkedIn (shared widely on X/Twitter by Prof. Matt Pritchard) listing specific projects and the faculty members actively recruiting students right now. These are not generic openings; each professor has described their project and what kind of student they are looking for. Here are the current opportunities (as of early December 2025): 1. Climate Dynamics Professor: Flavio Lehner (flavio.lehner@cornell.edu) Focus: Climate variability with emphasis on how sea-surfa...

ALPHAXIOMS Geothermal News & Energy Research

Search This Blog