Menengai’s Broken Promise: How Kenya’s Geothermal Model Lost the Steam Thematic image of the Olkaria Geothermal Field Kenya’s Menengai geothermal project was sold as a model of modern public-private partnership. The state would carry the difficult and expensive burden of geothermal exploration and drilling. Private power producers would then build, own and operate power plants. Geothermal Development Company would supply the steam; the independent power producers would convert it into electricity; Kenya Power would buy the output. On paper, the arrangement was elegant. In practice, Menengai has exposed a far more uncomfortable reality: Kenya’s public steam-supply model is not delivering the certainty it promised. Menengai Phase I was designed to produce 105 megawatts from three 35 MW plants. GDC’s own project page says the three plants were awarded to Globeleq Menengai Geothermal, Sosian Menengai Geothermal Power and OrPower Twenty Two under a build-own-operate structure. Yet the ...
Exergy ORC Delivers Two Geothermal Power Plants in Turkey in Record Time: 46 MW Added in Under 13 Months
By: Robert Buluma
On November 30, 2025, Exergy International proudly announced the successful commissioning of two new geothermal power plants in Aydın, Turkey: Maren Nezihe Beren 2 (13 MWe) and Emir (33 MWe), totaling 46 MW of new clean electricity capacity. What makes this milestone truly remarkable is the execution speed , both plants were delivered in less than 13 months from contract signing to full commercial operation, setting a new benchmark in the geothermal ORC (Organic Rankine Cycle) industry.
Why This Achievement Matters in 2025
In an era where renewable energy projects often face delays of 24–36 months (or longer), completing two binary-cycle geothermal plants totaling 46 MW in under 13 months is nothing short of extraordinary. Turkey already ranks 4th globally in installed geothermal capacity (~1.7 GW as of 2024), and these new plants reinforce the country’s leadership while showcasing how ORC technology can accelerate the global energy transition.
Key highlights:
Combined capacity: 46 MWe
Technology: Exergy patented Radial Outflow Turbine (ROT) ORC systems
Location: Aydın province – one of the hottest geothermal regions in Turkey
Timeline: Contract to COD in <13 months
Local partner: Maren Maraş Elektrik Üretim A.Ş.
The Secret Behind the Record-Breaking Delivery
Exergy attributes the success to a combination of proven technology, strong local partnerships, and highly efficient project execution.
1. Standardized yet Flexible ORC Design
Exergy’s Radial Outflow Turbine platform is modular and pre-engineered for geothermal brines between 100–180 °C. This allows rapid customization without reinventing the wheel for every project.
2. Integrated Manufacturing & Testing
All critical components (turbine, generator, air-cooled condensers) are manufactured and factory-tested at Exergy’s dedicated facility in Olgiate Olona , Italy, dramatically reducing on-site commissioning risks.
3. Strong Local Collaboration
Maren has been a trusted partner of Exergy for over a decade (Maren already operates several Exergy ORC units). This long-term relationship eliminated typical first-time contractor friction.
4. Parallel Execution Strategy
While civil works and well drilling continued on site, Exergy prefabricated the complete ORC skids in Italy. The modules were shipped and installed in parallel with BOP (Balance of Plant), cutting months off the critical path.
5. Digital Twin & Remote Monitoring
Both plants are equipped with Exergy’s advanced remote monitoring system, allowing real-time performance optimization from the first day of operation.
Technical Edge: Why Exergy’s Radial Outflow Turbine Wins in Geothermal
Traditional axial turbines struggle with the two-phase flow and varying geothermal resource conditions common in Turkey. Exergy’s patented Radial Outflow Turbine (ROT) offers decisive advantages:
Higher efficiency across wide load range (up to 23% gross efficiency recorded in similar plants)
Superior part-load performance
Better tolerance to silica scaling and non-condensable gases
Up to 20% higher power output than competing ORC systems on the same resource
Proven lifetime >30 years with minimal maintenance
These advantages translate directly into higher revenues for plant owners and faster payback—critical factors in today’s high-interest-rate environment.
Impact on Turkey’s Geothermal Leadership
With the addition of Maren Nezihe Beren 2 and Emir, Turkey’s geothermal fleet now comfortably exceeds 1.75 GW, keeping the country firmly ahead of Indonesia, Philippines, and New Zealand in binary-cycle dominance. Aydın province alone now hosts over 600 MW of geothermal capacity, making it arguably the geothermal capital of the world.
More importantly, these plants will:
Generate ~350 GWh of clean electricity annually
Avoid ~250,000 tons of CO₂ emissions per year
Power approximately 150,000 Turkish households with 7/24 renewable baseload energy
Create dozens of high-skill jobs in operation & maintenance
The Bigger Picture: ORC Technology Is Ready to Explode Globally
Geothermal has historically suffered from long development timelines and high upfront costs. Projects like Maren & Emir prove that deliver in under 13 months completely change the investment case.
Investors and developers are taking note:
IRR improves dramatically when plants generate revenue 12–18 months earlier
Financing becomes easier with proven fast-track execution
Risk premium drops when the same technology supplier has 400+ MW operating flawlessly
Exergy now has over 550 MW of geothermal ORC references worldwide (Turkey, Germany, Indonesia, USA, etc.), representing roughly
35% global market share in new geothermal binary capacity over the last five years.
What’s Next for Exergy and Turkish Geothermal?
Industry insiders expect Exergy to reach 2 GW installed geothermal capacity in Turkey by 2028, with the majority being binary ORC plants. Exergy just signed additional contracts in 2025 (details still confidential) and is expanding its Olgiate Olona factory to meet demand.
There are also whispers of geothermal + lithium co-production pilots and repairs in Turkey using Exergy ORC systems,potentially unlocking a completely new revenue stream from the same wells.
Final Thoughts: Speed Is the New Currency in Clean Energy
The successful commissioning of 46 MW in under 13 months isn’t just a win for Exergy and Maren,it’s proof that geothermal can be deployed at the speed the climate crisis demands. When the right technology meets the right partnership and execution discipline, renewable baseload power can be delivered faster than most wind or solar farms.
Related: Exergy Unveils the Gemini Turbine: A Giant Leap for Large-Scale Geothermal Power Generation
Congratulations to the entire Exergy ORC and Maren teams for showing the world what’s possible.
source: Exergy
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