Olkaria's Shift: EV Plant Takes Shape as Data Center Project Stalls
Olkaria, Kenya, is buzzing with geothermal activity, but the focus has shifted from data centers to electric vehicle (EV) production. Aquilastar's EV plant is taking shape, while Microsoft-G42's data center project remains unbuilt.
Aquilastar's EV plant in Olkaria is making tangible progress. Crews are pouring foundations, and steel framing is being lifted into place. If negotiations with KenGen for long-term power contracts succeed, this plant could become one of the world's few EV plants powered by baseload renewable energy. Officials assure that the Microsoft-G42 data center project is still on track, but no construction has started yet, with financing details and permits yet to be finalized. While the future may hold both an EV plant and a data center, only the EV plant has shown visible progress so far, potentially shifting Olkaria's focus towards physical production.
Aquilastar's EV plant in Olkaria is steadily advancing, offering a working demonstration of geothermal-powered development. Although the Microsoft-G42 data center project is still planned, the EV plant's progress could prove more persuasive to ordinary Kenyans in the near term.
