Exergy establishes local presence in Kenya to support geothermal business in Africa

EXERGY INTERNATIONAL has announced the establishment of EXERGY EAST AFRICA LTD., in Nairobi, Kenya as the company develops a long-term presence in Africa. The new company creates a permanent local presence in one of the continent’s key markets for geothermal power, renewable energy and industrial energy efficiency.

The move represents a part of EXERGY’s international development and follows years of market assessment and business development across Africa. From Nairobi, EXERGY will work more closely with customers, project developers, industrial partners, and institutions, thus gaining a better understanding of market requirements and providing direct support to clients and partners.

The new company marks a significant step in EXERGY’s international development and follows several years of market assessment and business development across Africa. From Nairobi, EXERGY will work more closely with customers, project developers, industrial partners and institutions, gaining a deeper understanding of market requirements and providing direct support throughout the development of new energy projects.

With exceptional renewable resources and rapidly growing electricity demand, Africa is one of the most attractive markets for energy and infrastructure development. Private-sector clean energy investment in Africa almost tripled, from approximately USD 17 billion in 2019 to nearly USD 40 billion in 2024. However, investment remains below the levels needed to support future demand and achieve the continent’s energy and development objectives, leaving considerable opportunities for new projects, technologies and long-term industrial partnerships.

“After several years of studying the market and evaluating its opportunities, we are pleased to establish EXERGY EAST AFRICA LTD. and begin a new phase of direct engagement in Africa,” commented Luca Pozzoni, Deputy CEO of EXERGY. “The region combines exceptional renewable resources with fast-growing demand for reliable and affordable electricity. Africa will be a strategic growth market for EXERGY in the years ahead and we aim to support its energy development with technologies and international expertise that can strengthen industrial growth, energy resilience and a responsible and equitable transition.”

Matteo Cavadini will be permanently based in Nairobi as Business Development Manager Africa with responsibility for developing relationships with customers, project developers, partners and institutions, as well as identifying and supporting new business opportunities across the region. His activities will be guided by EXERGY Deputy CEO Luca Pozzoni and Erdogan Arpaci, General Manager of EXERGY Türkiye who leads the company’s business development activities across Africa.

Kenya: a regional renewable energy leader

EXERGY selected Kenya as the base for its East African operations because of the country’s established renewable energy ecosystem, strategic regional position and recognized leadership in geothermal development.

The country is already the world’s sixth-largest geothermal market, and had just recently surpassed the 1-GW threshold of installed geothermal power generation capacity. With an estimated potential of up to 10 GW in Kenya, and up to 20 GW across the wider East Africa Rift System, the geothermal potential in this region creates a growing market for technologies that provide reliable power generation, improve efficiency, and reduce emissions.

“A permanent presence in Nairobi will allow us to engage directly with the market and build relationships based on continuity, local knowledge and shared objectives,” said Erdogan Arpaci. “We want to work alongside customers and partners from the earliest stages of project development, combining EXERGY’s international engineering and operational experience with a clear understanding of local priorities and operating conditions.”

EXERGY will focus on projects where advanced energy-conversion technologies can improve efficiency, reliability and long-term economic performance. Its portfolio combines Organic Rankine Cycle solutions for geothermal power generation and industrial waste-heat recovery with high-efficiency heat pumps and Battery Energy Storage Systems.

The establishment of EXERGY EAST AFRICA LTD. expands EXERGY’s international footprint, adding to its headquarters and integrated engineering, R&D and manufacturing operations in Italy, as well as its wholly owned subsidiary and manufacturing facility in Türkiye. As part of TICA Group, EXERGY draws on a global industrial, manufacturing and service network extending across China, Malaysia, Australia, Canada, the United States, Italy and other key markets.

Source: Email correspondence