JakartaPost-Aug 24, 2023

State-owned oil and gas giant Pertamina is considering expanding into Kenya, aiming for collaboration in oil and gas and geothermal energy. Pertamina, through its upstream subsidiary PT Pertamina Internasional Eksplorasi dan Produksi, is exploring a potential collaboration with the National Oil Corporation of Kenya in upstream industry areas including exploration, refining and petrochemicals, as well as in downstream industries such as petroleum product trading in Kenya. Pertamina Geothermal Energy, a publicly listed renewable energy subsidiary, also inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Kenya-based Africa Geothermal International Limited (AGIL) on Sunday. The agreement aims to explore a joint venture to develop geothermal power in Kenya’s Longonot concession, which has the capacity to generate 500 megawatts (MW) of electricity, of which 140 MW are already in operational.  Previously, Pertamina signed a similar deal with Kenya’s government-owned Geothermal Development Company (GCD) and South African Guma Group. In Nairobi on Monday, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo welcomed Pertamina’s planned expansion in Kenya. “I asked Kenya for help in realizing Pertamina’s US$1.5 billion investment with Geothermal Development Company and Guma Group in the field of new and renewable energy and the necessity of a bilateral investment treaty between the two countries,” Jokowi said in a statement on Monday. Pertamina President Director Nicke Widyawati said that Pertamina’s cooperation with Kenya encompasses both upstream and downstream businesses, and that Pertamina welcomes all geothermal development opportunities in Kenya. Read more at: https://www.thejakartapost.com/paper/2023/08/24/pertamina-eyes-oil-and-gas-geothermal-expansion-in-kenya.html.