Chinese firms are ready to assist Kenya to develop its huge geothermal resources, a Chinese official said on Monday.

Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Liu Xianfa told an investment conference in Nairobi that Chinese firms have the expertise required to tap into the renewable energy source.

"Chinese companies are well prepared to partner with Kenyan enterprises to assist Kenya to improve geothermal power production ability," Liu said during the opening ceremony of the Second Edition of the Kenya International Investment Conference.

Kenya is among top geothermal producers. Almost half of Kenya's electricity supply now comes from geothermal resources.

According to the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum, Kenya has a potential to produce over 8,000MW of power from geothermal sources.

Liu noted that an increasing number of Chinese provinces are keen on Kenya development.

"This year alone, more than a third of Chinese provinces have visited Kenya looking for further cooperation, which will definitely bring more bright cooperative future between Kenya and China," he said.

According to the envoy, the upcoming Forum of China-Africa Copperation set to take place next month in South Africa will provide a great opportunity for both China and African countries to strengthen their partnership. Endite

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