KenGen Risks Losing Olkaria Wells Over 18-Year Licence Blunder Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) faces a serious legal and operational risk at Olkaria after an error in the coordinates of its geothermal licence left part of the company’s wells, steam infrastructure and other assets outside its legally recognised area. The licensing mistake, made nearly two decades ago, remains unresolved despite the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum acknowledging the problem in 2017. The dispute has raised questions about the security of KenGen’s investments, the government’s management of geothermal resources and the potential consequences for Kenya’s electricity supply. Olkaria is the country’s most important geothermal centre and accounts for the overwhelming majority of Kenya’s installed geothermal generation capacity. Licence Error Exposes Strategic Assets The problem dates back to September 19, 2008, when the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum issued KenGen a licence covering ...
Geothermal Energy Powers Iceland’s Food Revolution: The Algae Farm of the Future
By: Robert Buluma
In the stark and otherworldly landscape of Iceland, geothermal energy is not just heating homes or generating electricity—it’s feeding the world. In the shadow of Iceland’s largest geothermal power station lies a futuristic farm run by Vaxa Technologies, where an unlikely crop is being cultivated: microalgae.
This groundbreaking facility showcases how geothermal energy can go beyond traditional uses to power innovative solutions for global challenges like food security and climate change.
Geothermal: The Unsung Hero of Sustainable Food Production
At Vaxa’s facility, the geothermal power station isn’t just a backdrop—it’s the engine driving the entire operation. Harnessing the Earth’s natural heat, the plant provides the resources needed to cultivate microalgae efficiently and sustainably.
The station supplies:
Clean Electricity: Powers the LED lights that replace sunlight for photosynthesis.
Cold Water: Keeps the algae at optimal growth temperatures.
Hot Water: Heats the facility during Iceland’s cold winters.
Carbon Dioxide: Directly piped from the power station to the algae, which absorbs it during growth.
This seamless integration of geothermal energy into food production creates a process that is not only energy-efficient but also carbon negative. “The algae is eating CO2, or turning the CO2 into biomass,” says Kristinn Haflidason, Vaxa’s general manager.
This is not the first time we see geothermal being utilized in agriculture as we reported earlier on how Tunisia was doing marvellous with their tomato farm
A Geothermal Blueprint for the Future
Geothermal energy’s role in Vaxa’s success highlights its versatility beyond electricity generation. Unlike solar and wind, which are intermittent, geothermal provides a steady, round-the-clock energy source. This reliability is essential for energy-intensive operations like algae cultivation, where consistent power is critical for optimal growth.
Geothermal’s unique ability to provide both heat and electricity makes it the perfect partner for integrated systems like Vaxa’s. By using geothermal heat to warm water and cold groundwater for cooling, the farm minimizes its energy footprint.
Geothermal Energy as a Climate Champion
The Vaxa facility demonstrates how geothermal energy can contribute to the fight against climate change. By capturing CO2 emissions from the power plant and turning them into a resource for growing algae, the facility achieves a slightly negative carbon footprint.
This model could inspire similar projects around the globe, particularly in regions rich in geothermal resources. From Iceland to East Africa’s Rift Valley, geothermal energy could fuel a new wave of sustainable industries.
Expanding Geothermal’s Potential
While Vaxa Technologies has focused on food production, geothermal energy’s applications in algae cultivation extend far beyond the dining table. Microalgae can also be used to produce:
Biofuels: A renewable alternative to fossil fuels.
Bioplastics: Sustainable materials to replace conventional plastics.
Animal Feed: Nutrient-rich supplements for fish, shrimp, and livestock farming.
Cosmetics and Pharmaceuticals: Ingredients for skincare and medicine.
The possibilities are endless, and geothermal energy could be the linchpin that makes these industries both economically viable and environmentally sustainable.
Lessons for the Global Geothermal Sector
Vaxa’s algae farm serves as a shining example of geothermal innovation, demonstrating how this renewable resource can support industries far removed from its traditional uses. It raises an important question: What other sectors could benefit from geothermal’s unique properties?
Regions like Kenya’s Rift Valley, with its vast geothermal potential, could replicate this model to produce food, biofuels, or other high-value products. Such initiatives would not only address local needs but also position geothermal-rich countries as leaders in sustainable innovation.
A Geothermal-Powered Future
As the world searches for sustainable solutions to feed a growing population and combat climate change, Iceland’s geothermal-powered algae farm offers a vision of what’s possible. By harnessing the Earth’s heat, Vaxa Technologies is not just growing food—it’s growing hope for a greener, more resilient future.
With geothermal energy at the heart of this transformation, the question is no longer if we can build a sustainable future, but when.
Sources:BBC, Green by Iceland ,
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