Dr. Peter Omenda is a geothermal project development expert of more than 35 years’ experience during which he pioneered geothermal exploration and development projects in Kenya and several other countries in Africa. He is the President of the African Geothermal Association and member of the International Geothermal Association, Geothermal Association of Kenya and Geological Society of Kenya. Dr. Omenda previously worked with the Geothermal Development Company (GDC) and the Kenya Electricity Generating Company PLC (KenGen), and currently with Scientific and Engineering Power Consultants focused on geothermal research and development in Africa. He has B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees in geology from the University of Nairobi, post graduate Diploma in Geothermal Energy Technology from University of Auckland, New Zealand; PhD in Geological Sciences from the University of Texas at El Paso, USA and MBA from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology. He has published widely in international journals and presented in many international workshops and conferences. Dr. Omenda is the interim president of the African Geothermal Association, former board member of the International Geothermal Association (IGA)-2016-2021, founding Treasurer of the Geothermal Association of Kenya (GAK), member of the Geological Society of Kenya (GSK) and Registered Geologist with the Geologists Registration Board of Kenya. He is also a member of the Kenya National Steering Committee of East Africa Skills for Transformation and Regional Integration Project (EASTRIP) and chairman of KenGen’s Industry Advisory Board for EASTRIP development. Dr. Omenda has consulted for several countries in Africa including Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, and Ethiopia and also consulted for UNEP, UNIDO and large geothermal corporations. His vision is to ensure rapid and sustainable and holistic development of geothermal resource for power and direct use.
James Francis Natukunda is the President of Geothermal Association of Uganda (GAU). He has a Bachelors degree in geology from Makerere University in 1998, Uganda and MSc degree in mineral resources exploration from The University of Queensland, Australia in 2012. He works as a Principal Geologist working at Ugandan the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development (MEMD), Uganda. He joined MEMD in 2002 and now he has over 22 years of experience in geological mapping, mineral exploration and geothermal energy exploration. He has worked on a number of geothermal exploration energy projects in Uganda since 2004. He has also performed geotechnical investigations at several hydro power sites in Uganda. He has authored several papers on Ugandan geothermal energy exploration and country updates and also participated in several ARGeo and World Geothermal Conferences.
A graduate of geoscience in 1981 University of Mosul -Iraq; Advanced Diploma in geophysical well logging acquisition, interpretation and data processing from ELGI – Eutvus Lorand Geophysical Institute, Hungary. He has ddiversified experience in groundwater exploration, methods of well drilling and completion of water yards mainly with UNICEF, IOM, UNDP and World Bank projects. Design and construction of Deep Injection well systems, exploration and reservoir characterization for Geothermal Energy, direct application of low Enthalpy Geothermal Energy in collaboration with University of Oklahoma in Gulf Countries, repurposing of abandoned Oil &Gas wells for Geothermal energy, advanced research programs with Western Energy firms and Chinese Firms mainly to develop Geothermal Energy using modern technologies. With success stories in project management as project manager and project director in the Geological operations associated with Doha Metro – Goldline – underground, Owner partner in Omaski Sai Infra , owner partner in GeoMaster -Qatar (CEO) and recently Partner in Global Geotech Services (CEO ) mainly to develop Deep groundwater wells and Geothermal Energy in MENA & Africa, Consultant geologist with US, EU and Chinese Firms.
M.K Yerima is a professor of Geology with specialization in Hydrogeology and Geothermics based in Bayero University, Kano (BUK), Nigeria. He earned Bachelor’s degree from the University of Maiduguri, Nigeria, Masters and doctorate degree in Applied Geology from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Nigeria. He has taught at tertiary level for 28 years, starting in the Department of Civil Engineering Technology, Federal Polytechnic, Damaturu, Yobe State, and later Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto, Nigeria and currently with Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria. He has also taught as a visiting Professor at different times at the Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Federal University Birnin Kebbi and Zamfara State University, Talata Mafara, Nigeria. He has supervised and currently supervising several PhD/MSc theses at both ABU Zaria and Bayero University, Kano. He has served and still serving as an external examiner to University of Maiduguri, Federal University of Technology Minna, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria and Federal University Gusau. Yerima has held several administrative positions including two-term Head of Geology Department, Deputy Dean in the Faculty of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Bayero University Kano. He is presently the National Vice President, Geothermal Association of Nigeria; Vice President West Africa of the African Geothermal Association (AGA); Deputy Editor of the African Journal of Earth and Environmental Sciences and an Editorial Board Member; Sahel Journal. He has received fellowships under the Polish National Commission for UNESCO in 2011, 2012 and 2015 at The University of Silesia, Poland.
Mr Solomon Kebede is a senior geologist/geochemist with over 40 years of experience. The majority of Mr Solomon Career has been with Geological Survey of Ethiopia. He has extensive experience in the aspects of geothermal exploration ranging from geological logging and supervising temperature gradient drilling to preparing bankable geothermal documents and guiding geothermal policies and strategies for the country Ethiopia. More recently Mr Solomon worked for the Ethiopian Electric Power as the coordinator of the technical and scientific team for the drilling project at Aluto. In the last decade he participated as regional instructor in short term geothermal trainings in Kenya and he participated in many other teaching, training and professional leadership activities in geothermal throughout his career.
Ms. Uwera Rutagarama brings over 20 years of extensive experience in technical and project management within the renewable energy sector. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Metallurgical Engineering from the University of Lubumbashi in the Democratic Republic of Congo, followed by a Postgraduate Degree in Metallurgy from the University of Pretoria in South Africa. Uwera further advanced her education with a Master’s Degree in Geophysics, specializing in Reservoir Engineering, from the University of Iceland. Throughout her career, Uwera has successfully managed a variety of energy projects and has been instrumental in initiating and developing Rwanda’s geothermal program. Currently, she serves as the Director of the Off-grid and Alternative Energy Department at Rwanda Energy Group, where she is responsible for overseeing the development of off-grid energy solutions and clean cooking projects. In addition to her role at Rwanda Energy Group, Ms. Rutagarama is an active member in the regional geothermal community. She is a member of the Executive Committee of the Africa Geothermal Association and serves on the Steering Committees of both the Africa Rift Geothermal Development Programme (ARGeo) and the Africa Geothermal Centre of Excellence (AGCE). Uwera is also a board member of a Rwandan private energy company and a founding member of both African Women Advancing Geothermal (AWAG) and PowerHer Rwanda. In recognition of her exceptional leadership and contributions to the energy sector, Uwera was featured in the Women in Energy series by the U.S. Energy Association (USEA) and USAID in 2019.
Geophrey Adem is a renewable energy engineer with experience of working on a number of renewable energy projects both in Kenya and East Africa. He holds a BSc degree in Renewable Energy Technology (First Class Honours) from Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology, and a Master of Science degree in Renewable Energy from the University of Rwanda. He previously worked at Scientific and Engineering Power Consultants Ltd as a Renewable Energy Engineer where his main responsibilities involved support for feasibility studies for renewable energy projects, solar PV and solar thermal projects design, sizing, costing, installation, and commissioning; solar-geothermal hybrid energy projects; distributed hybrid energy system; and energy projects proposal development. He has also previously worked as a tutorial fellow in Renewable Energy program at the Turkana University College. Driven by a passion to advance sustainable energy solutions, his goals include enhancing energy access in remote communities, integrating renewable energy technologies into urban infrastructure, and promoting the adoption of hybrid energy systems for agriculture and industrial use. He is committed to contributing to Africa’s energy transition by supporting innovations in renewable energy technologies, fostering partnerships, and sharing knowledge across the sector.