OMNI Features｜Microsoft and G42 to Build Geothermal-powered Data Center in Kenya．Statkraft has Completed the Acquisition of Enerfin Renewables

｜Microsoft and G42 to Build Geothermal-powered Data Center in Kenya
A data center run entirely on geothermal energy will be built in Kenya as part of a $1 billion investment by Microsoft and Dubai-based AI firm G42. The companies and the Kenyan government have signed a letter of intent confirming the investment, which will comprise a number of measures designed to boost Kenya’s digital economy. One of these is the construction of a data center campus in Olkaria, south west Kenya. It is hoped this will be up and running in the next two years and have an initial capacity of 100 MW. This could eventually rise to 1 GW, the companies said.

The data center will be powered by geothermal energy using heat naturally stored under the earth's crust. The Olkaria region has abundant geothermal resources, and Kenya's state-owned energy provider, Kenya Electricity Generating Company, operates four geothermal power plants in the region, with installed capacity of over 700MW.

Microsoft announced a $1.5 billion investment in G42 last month. The companies pledged to work together to bring more digital and AI services to customers in the Middle East, Central Asia, and Africa.

｜Statkraft has Completed the Acquisition of Enerfin Renewables
On 17 November 2023, Statkraft signed an agreement with the Spanish company Elecnor to acquire its renewables subsidiary Enerfin. The transaction has now been completed.

Statkraft is a leading company in hydropower internationally and Europe's largest generator of renewable energy. The Group produces hydropower, wind power, solar power, gas-fired power and supplies district heating. Statkraft is a global company in energy market operations. Statkraft has more than 6,000 employees in over 20 countries.

The closing of the Enerfin deal significantly builds scale and strengthens Statkraft's position in Spain and Brazil. The transaction adds a portfolio of 1.5 GW of wind and solar power projects in operation and under construction, as well as a pipeline of projects under development. Birgitte Ringstad Vartdal, President and CEO of Statkraft, indicated that this acquisition positions Statkraft among the top 10 wind power developers in Spain and Brazil.

Reference: DCD｜Statkraft