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 ...
Germany Supercharges Geothermal Energy for a Carbon-Free Future
Germany has just lit a fire under its clean energy transition only this time, the heat is coming from deep underground.
By: Robert Buluma
On August 6, 2025, the government approved a bold bill to fast-track geothermal projects across the country. The move could transform how millions of homes and businesses are heated, slashing carbon emissions and cutting dependence on fossil fuels.
What’s Changing
- Faster Approvals: No more endless waiting—geothermal plants, district heating lines, heat pumps, and thermal storage will get priority treatment.
- Overriding Public Interest: Geothermal now ranks alongside wind and solar, unlocking faster permits and smoother planning.
- Looser Exploration Rules: Drilling and subsurface studies will face fewer restrictions.
Why It Matters
Geothermal could supply over a quarter of Germany’s heating needs—and it’s available 24/7, rain or shine. With 42 plants already running and 16 more under construction, the sector is ready to surge.
The Big Picture
This is part of Germany’s larger push to phase out fossil heating by 2045. It’s also a direct response to the energy shocks of recent years, proving the country is serious about secure, clean, homegrown heat.
Bottom line: Germany is digging deepliterallyfor its climate future. If lawmakers pass this bill, expect a geothermal boom that could set a global example for sustainable heating.

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