Globeleq advances third Menengai 35 MW geothermal project

Construction site of Globeleq's Menengai geothermal power plant (source: Globeleq)

Alexander Richter 2 Feb 2026

Globeleq’s 35 MW Menengai geothermal power plant in Kenya is advancing toward construction completion, positioning it as the third and final project in the Menengai geothermal complex.

The Menengai development comprises three 35 MW power plants, all supplied with steam by Kenya’s Geothermal Development Company (GDC), and represents a key pillar of Kenya’s strategy to expand baseload renewable generation.

Third project in the Menengai complex

The first Menengai 35 MW plant entered commercial operation in August 2023, becoming the initial privately operated geothermal facility at the field. The second project, being developed by OrPower 22 with technology supplied by Kaishan, is scheduled to begin operations in March 2026.

Globeleq’s project is the third of the three developments and is currently expected to reach commercial operation by mid-2026, completing the initial Menengai build-out.

Together, the two plants to come online this year will add 70 MW of installed geothermal capacity to Kenya’s power system.

Project milestones reached

Globeleq selected its engineering, procurement, and construction contractor in February 2023, marking the transition from development into execution. The project reached a formal groundbreaking milestone in June 2023, with site works and early construction activities commencing shortly thereafter.

In January 2024, the project achieved financial close, securing the debt and equity financing required to support full construction. The financing structure included development finance institutions and commercial lenders, reflecting continued lender confidence in Kenya’s geothermal sector. Fuji Electric was chosen as supplier for the turbine in June 2023.

The Menengai projects follow a build-own-operate structure, with Globeleq responsible for power generation and GDC supplying steam from the geothermal field.

Kenya approaches 1 GW geothermal milestone

Once the second and third Menengai plants enter operation, Kenya’s installed geothermal power generation capacity is expected to exceed 1,000 MW. This would place the country among a small group of nations globally with more than 1 GW of installed geothermal capacity.

Kenya already leads Africa in geothermal power generation, with major production centered at the Olkaria fields and ongoing expansion through both public and private sector projects.

The completion of the Menengai complex underscores the role of geothermal energy as a stable, low-carbon backbone of Kenya’s electricity system and a reference point for private geothermal development on the continent.

Source: Pumps Africa