Bridging the Skills Gap: Addressing the Lack of Technological and Professional Expertise in the Geothermal Sector - Kenya Experience

Abstract

The presence of the Rift Valley in the Eastern Africa region favours the development of geothermal energy. A good number of the East African countries - Burundi, Comoros, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia - have taken keen interest in the development of geothermal energy. Kenya is leading in the region in the development of this indigenous resource, largely due to government commitment and well trained workers. Large investments have been made in training local personnel in geothermal exploration development and production activities.

The geothermal industry relies on a spectrum of professionals with varying technical backgrounds and experience. No geothermal training institutions exist in Africa. Since the 1970s majority of geothermal energy professionals have attended courses in the United Nations University in Iceland, the University of Iceland, Pisa University in Italy, Kyushu University in Japan and the Geothermal Institute of Auckland in New Zealand, utilising financial sponsorship of the host institutions as well as international and bilateral agencies. Unfortunately, today there are fewer opportunities for geothermal training than there were in the 1980’s and 1990’s. In this paper we discuss the concept of establishing a geothermal training institute in Africa, location and mode of operation.