Summary:
- EcoCloud has signed an MOU with G42 to develop a data centre powered by geothermal energy with an initial capacity of 100 MW with the potential of scaling to 1 Gigawatt.
- This will be the first of its kind in Kenya and will harness the power of nature reducing the use of fossil fuels hence reducing carbon emissions.
Kenya’s EcoCloud has signed an MOU with UAE’s G42 to accelerate the development of a 1 Gigawatt data center at Olkaria powered by geothermal energy. Kenya has about 10 gigawatts of untapped geothermal energy, a cleaner form of energy compared to what currently powers most data centers in the country and across the world. This sets a new standard for sustainable data centers. By using geothermal, the project dramatically cuts reliance on fossil fuels hence reducing carbon emissions.
The EcoCloud-G42 Mega Data Center will be located at Olkaria, Kenya’s geothermal-rich regions, and is expected to have a capacity of 100 MW with the potential to build up to 1 Gigawatt.
This strategic agreement was signed by Amos Siwoi, CEO of EcoCloud and Peng Xiao, Group CEO of G42, leading the UAE delegation, in the presence of President William Samoei Ruto and Dr. Salim Ibrahim Binahmed Mohammed Alnaqbi, the Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to Kenya.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) extends beyond infrastructure, aiming to usher in an era of cloud computing and AI services. It hopes to unlock economic opportunities, stimulate innovation, and drive the digital economy forward.
Olkaria Ecocloud
Olkaria Ecocloud positions itself as a leading contender in the data center sector in Kenya. Some of the benefits it offers include:
- Security and reliability with tier III compliance, redundant power, cooling systems and robust security measures. These guarantee the highest levels of uptime and business continuity.
- It also offers colocation services that are secure and scalable. Its satellite station also provides redundancy to terrestrial fiber connections, guaranteeing reliability and uninterrupted internet connectivity.
- It is sustainable as it implements water harvesting practices that minimize water usage. It has created a green belt zone within the facility to promote an ecological balance that contributes to the global green agenda.
EcoCloud is not the only data centre company embracing clean energy. Digital Realty, the parent company to iColo, achieved the world’s first 1GW sustainable IT capacity and a global 64% renewable energy coverage. The company is not using renewable energy to power all its operations in Kenya but does use solar power to some extent.
What They Said
Eng. Amos Siwoi, CEO of EcoCloud said: “This collaboration marks a significant milestone in our commitment to sustainability and innovation. By harnessing the power of geothermal energy, we are not only meeting the region’s data needs but also setting a new standard for eco-friendly infrastructure. This partnership underscores our dedication to a greener, more sustainable future for Africa and beyond.”
Peng Xiao, Group CEO of G42 said: “In establishing this strategic partnership with EcoCloud, G42 is proud to be at the forefront of combining groundbreaking technology with sustainability. This geothermal-powered data center is a milestone towards realizing Kenya’s potential as a global digital hub and fulfilling our mission of making intelligence accessible to everyone, everywhere.”
Also Read: Role of colocation data centers like iColo in improving access to internet services