Germany to focus on geothermal energy, skilled workers at African business summit
Clean Energy Wire
The expansion of renewable energies, in particular geothermal, as well as Germany’s shortage of skilled workers needed to implement its landmark energy transition will be a focus at this week’s German-African Business Summit in Kenya’s capital Nairobi, according to Germany’s economy ministry. “Key topics include the expansion of renewable energies with a focus on geothermal energy and downstream green value creation on site, training for skilled workers, start-ups and the digital economy,” the ministry said.
The summit, which takes place from 2 to 4 December, is Germany's most important business event in Africa, the ministry said. It added that this year's summit deals with financing in Africa, energy prospects with a focus on hydrogen, recruiting skilled workers for Africa and for Germany, digitalisation and innovation, as well as cooperation in the raw materials sector. Climate and economy minister Robert Habeck, who attends the summit, is also scheduled to discuss German-Kenyan economic relations with local government representatives.
“In addition to the rapidly growing young population, our neighbouring continent is characterised by an enormous wealth of resources, which opens up great potential for green value creation and the expansion of renewable energies,” the Green politician said. “It offers immense opportunities for German companies, especially in future-oriented sectors such as the digital economy and the expansion of renewable energy generation, and transition technologies.”
Habeck added the country is also an important partner in view of the shortage of labour and skilled workers in Germany, which has become an important obstacle to achieving many climate policy targets. “We can achieve two things at once to our mutual benefit: help train skilled workers for the Kenyan labour market, and recruit skilled workers for Germany,” Habeck said.
Last year, chancellor Olaf Scholz also visited a geothermal power plant in Kenya, a technology that the country is using extensively thanks to its availability in the volcanic African Rift Valley region. Germany should take the African country as an inspiration to intensify its own geothermal power activities, Scholz said during his visit.
