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 ...
đ Global Geothermal Policy Takes Center Stage: IGA and Giving Green Forge a New Path for Clean, Firm Energy
By: Robert Buluma
In a powerful step toward transforming the future of clean energy, the International Geothermal Association (IGA) has partnered with Giving Green to accelerate global geothermal policy and regulation. This collaboration marks a turning point for the geothermal sector — one that could redefine how nations approach firm, renewable power in the era of climate urgency.
Policy Reform Meets Energy Innovation
Backed by Giving Green’s strategic grant, the IGA will host two high-impact Policy & Regulation Fora in Europe — specialized “acceleration labs” that bring together governments, regulators, and industry players to tackle the barriers throttling geothermal progress.
From lengthy permitting delays to inconsistent policy frameworks, these challenges have slowed one of the most reliable forms of renewable energy. The fora will focus on creating faster, clearer, and more stable environments for geothermal projects to flourish — turning policy bottlenecks into gateways for investment, innovation, and sustainable growth.
The initiative aims to generate actionable results: policy briefs, shared commitments, and contributions to emerging global geothermal standards — tools that will guide the world toward equitable and efficient energy reform.
A Visionary Leap for Global Energy Policy
“The potential of geothermal energy to deliver clean, firm power and heating at scale is enormous — but it demands bold policy reform,” said Dr. Marit Brommer, CEO of the IGA. “We are deeply grateful to Giving Green for recognizing geothermal as a cornerstone of the global clean energy transition.”
Bjarni PĂĄlsson, President of the IGA Board, emphasized that strong policy and regulatory clarity are the keys to unlocking geothermal’s vast potential. “Through this collaboration, we will equip decision-makers with actionable solutions that reduce project risks and accelerate deployment across Europe and beyond,” he stated.
A Shared Mission for a Low-Carbon Future
With over four decades of global leadership, the IGA stands as the definitive voice for geothermal professionals and organizations in more than 70 countries. Its impact — from convening the World Geothermal Congress 2026 to shaping regional energy dialogues — demonstrates its unmatched capacity to drive measurable, collaborative outcomes for the geothermal sector.
The partnership with Giving Green isn’t just about funding — it’s about reshaping the energy narrative. It’s a shared mission to expand access to clean, firm, and reliable power — and a defining stride toward a resilient, low-carbon future.
Source:IGA

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