‘Our contribution to a cleaner world’: how Kenya found an extraordinary power source beneath its feet

illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on The Guardian or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: Kenya is emerging as a world leader in clean energy due to its extensive geothermal resources in the Great Rift Valley
• This has been a major development in the country's energy sector, with KenGen playing a pivotal role in harnessing these resources

🔭 The context: The Great Rift Valley's unique geological features, including volcanic activity and tectonic movements, create ideal conditions for geothermal energy
• This has enabled Kenya to tap into a sustainable and reliable energy source, significantly reducing its reliance on fossil fuels

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Kenya's focus on geothermal energy contributes to global efforts in combating climate change
• This renewable energy source is cleaner and more sustainable than fossil fuels, helping to reduce carbon emissions and environmental impact

⏭️ What's next: Kenya aims to fully transition to renewable energy by 2030
• With the potential to increase its geothermal capacity to 10,000MW, the country could exceed its current peak demand, setting a precedent for renewable energy use in Africa

💬 One quote: "Geothermal is available 24/7 for 365 days. It is not affected by climate fluctuations," (Peketsa Mangi, KenGen’s general manager)

📈 One stat: Kenya currently derives 91% of its energy from renewables, with 47% from geothermal sources

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