Kenya’s move to clean energy is near realization with the signing of a new agreement on the launch of a green energy and fertilizer facility. President William Ruto said the partnership with Fortescue Future Industries, a global green energy firm, will catalyze progress towards low carbon energy self-sufficiency.
The project will involve the development a 300MW capacity green ammonia and fertilizer facility using the Olkaria Geothermal resources in Naivasha.
“This is a bold statement that Kenya is on an ambitious green growth agenda, Kenyan President William Ruto remarked on Wednesday at State House during the signing of an investment support and implementation agreement with Fortescue Future Industries.
The agreement was signed by Energy, and National Treasury Cabinet Secretaries Davis Chirchir and Njuguna Ndung’u, and FFI Executive Chairman Andrew Forrest.
President Ruto further explained that Kenya is “walking the talk by taking steps that proactively exploit the opportunity to provide solutions to the global climate crisis,” and noted that the initiative will provide affordable fertilizer to the market, enabling farmers to produce and earn more.
The project will also supply electricity to Kenya’s grid, accelerating the phasing out of fossil fuels and reinforcing the country’s position as a global leader in renewable energy. Fossil fuel-dependent fertilizer production is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions.
This is the first of three projects that will see Australia’s FFI invest in green energy and manufacturing in Kenya.