The U.S.-East Africa Geothermal Partnership sponsored nine delegates from Kenya and Ethiopia to travel to Las Vegas, Nevada, USA for the 37^th Annual Geothermal Resources Council (GRC) Annual Meeting and Geothermal Energy Association (GEA) Geothermal Energy Expo in September/October 2013.   Delegates included representatives from Kenya’s Geothermal Development Company (GDC) and Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) and Ethiopia’s Ministry of Water and Energy, the Geological Survey of Ethiopia (GSE) and the Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation (EEPCO).   The nine EAGP delegates took part in a range of capacity-building exchanges, including workshops, technical sessions, field visits, and networking opportunities with U.S. geothermal industry representatives. 

About EAGP and the Power Africa Initiative

EAGP was implemented in 2012 to support the development of geothermal energy resources and projects in East Africa. It also encourages and facilitates the involvement of the U.S. geothermal industry in the region.  EAGP is a public-private partnership between the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the GEA, being implemented by the U.S. Energy Association (USEA).  

EAGP is part of President Obama’s Power Africa Initiative. With the goal of doubling access to power in sub-Saharan Africa, Power Africa will use a wide range of U.S. government tools to support investment in Africa’s energy sector. From policy and regulatory best practices, to pre-feasibility studies and capacity building, to long-term financing, insurance, guarantees, credit enhancements and technical assistance, Power Africa will provide coordinated support to help African partners expand their generation capacity and access.

GEA Geothermal Energy Expo

The GEA Geothermal Energy Expo hosted nearly 2,000 attendees from almost 40 countries and provided valuable opportunities for EAGP delegates to network with the geothermal companies.  

GRC Annual Meeting Workshops & Technical Sessions

The GRC Annual Meeting featured nearly 150 technical sessions on topics ranging from geology to power plants.  Delegates from East Africa presented a number of technical papers during the technical sessions. 

Delegates also participated in various workshops offered as part of the conference.  Subjects included

International Luncheon

Hosted by GRC and GEA, EAGP assisted in securing speakers for the sixth annual International Luncheon.  Luncheon brought together public and private sector geothermal experts and stakeholders from around the world.  The event focused on the latest geothermal developments in Kenya and Ethiopia.  Gosaye Abayneth, Director of Energy Studies and Development for the Ministry of Water and Energy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (and an EAGP-sponsored delegate), presented an overview of Ethiopia’s renewable energy development programs and the future of the country’s geothermal market.  Albert Mugo, Business Development and Strategy Director at Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen), also discussed geothermal’s role in Kenya’s Vision 2030 and outlined opportunities for investors. 

GEA International Visitors Presentations – East Africa

As part of this year’s Expo, GEA introduced International Visitors Presentations

GDC Procurement Presentation

In planning for the set of International Visitor Presentations, GDC’s General Manager, Dr. Peter Omenda, agreed to hold a special presentation on procurement issues and procedures for submitting bids or proposals to GDC. This event was organized jointly by GEA, EAGP and GDC and was attended mainly by U.S. companies that had either submitted proposals to GDC in the past or have an interest in future work with GDC.  Dr. Omenda gave an explanation of the GDC process for creating an RFEOI or RFP and the various constraints on procurements set in place by the Kenyan Government. 

This presentation initiated a productive discussion between GDC and companies in the audience about issues with RFP and RFEOI structure and timelines.  Most of the audience was in agreement that procurement timelines, both to submit proposals and to execute the project in question, often seem unreasonably short.  Francis Makhanu, KenGen’s Chief Energy Planner, agreed with Dr. Omenda about many of the unmovable tendering rules that their companies must follow, including tight timelines that are mandated based on the type of procurement.  This may remain an inherent part of the process to engage in Kenya’s energy sector, especially since the Kenyan Government aims to add 1,200 MW of capacity in the next 40 months. 

Another key takeaway from the Q&A session was the need for Kenyan and U.S. companies to build stronger relationships, so that when procurements arise, Kenyan companies can circulate their tenders directly to interested U.S. firms.  Dr. Omenda also welcomed the suggestion that U.S. companies and others from the private sector could provide comments and constructive feedback on GDC’s current tenders to help improve the structure and information given in future RFEOIs and RFPs.

EAGP Dinner

EAGP hosted a special dinner for the larger East African delegation and the U.S. representatives who have been involved in EAGP initiatives.  More than 65 people attended the lively dinner, which provided representatives from Kenya, Ethiopia, and the U.S. an opportunity to mingle and network.