Kenyan President Launches Historic Kaishan Green Ammonia Project: A Global First in Geothermal Power

In a landmark event for both Kenya and the global renewable energy sector, Kaishan Group has officially broken ground on the world's first project to produce green ammonia using geothermal power. The ceremony, held on November 3, 2025, in Olkaria, Kenya, was presided over by Kenyan President H.E. William Ruto and Kaishan Group Chairman Cao Kejian, who jointly unveiled the project plaque. This USD 800 million investment is set to become the largest industrial project in Kenya's history.

The project, implemented by Kaishan's wholly-owned subsidiary Kaishan Terra Green Ammonia Limited (Kenya), follows a crucial steam supply agreement signed with the Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) in late October. Under this agreement, KenGen will supply sufficient steam from existing wells to power a new 165.4 MW geothermal power plant. Critically, all electricity generated will be dedicated to the on-site production of green ammonia and subsequent green fertilizers.

A Fully Integrated Green Industrial Chain

With a construction timeline from November 2025 to October 2027, the project aims to complete a fully integrated "power-hydrogen-ammonia-fertilizer" chain within 24 months. Once operational, it is expected to produce:

• 200,000 tons of green ammonia annually

• 180,000 tons of urea

• 300,000 tons of calcium ammonium nitrate

These outputs are projected to generate annual sales revenues of USD 220-250 million.

Zero-Emission Innovation and Circular Economy

This project is not just about scale; it's a leap in sustainable technology. Dr. Tom Yan, General Manager of Kaishan Group, highlighted that the accompanying geothermal plant will be the world's first zero-emission power facility of its kind. In a groundbreaking circular process, all non-condensable gases from the geothermal steam, including CO₂, will be captured and purified to serve as a raw material for urea production. This innovative approach transforms a potential emission into a valuable resource.

Benefits for Kenya and a Model for the World

Upon completion, the project will supply 480,000 tons of green fertilizer annually to local agriculture, addressing Kenya's fertilizer supply gap. By replacing traditional fossil fuel-based ammonia production with clean geothermal energy, it will significantly reduce the carbon footprint of farming.

"This project demonstrates Kaishan's commitment to providing not only world-class mining equipment but also pioneering sustainable energy solutions," a company representative stated. The initiative brings together a powerful coalition of Chinese enterprises, with Kaishan Energy Equipment providing core technology, China Road and Bridge Corporation handling construction, and KenGen ensuring stable steam supply. This model of a full industrial chain export—from technology to equipment to engineering services—showcases Chinese industrial capabilities on a global stage.

Strengthening Sino-African Cooperation

The partnership with KenGen, leveraging their deep experience in geothermal development, ensures the project's resource stability. It also builds a significant bridge for cooperation between China and Africa in the new energy sector, promoting deeper development of Kenya's geothermal resources for industrial applications.

As global demand for green ammonia as a clean energy carrier and sustainable feedstock grows, Kaishan's pioneering project in Kenya accelerates the industrialization of geothermal-to-ammonia technology. It provides a viable new path for agricultural transformation and stands as a powerful testament to Chinese technological leadership and international cooperation.

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