DR. SILAS SIMIYU (MBS)
Board Member, Olkaria Ecocloud
Dr. Silas Simiyu is a resource development expert with more than 38 years’ experience that include, working in Kenya’s Ministry of Water, Oil Exploration Industry, Ministry of Energy, and its corporations where he was involved in project structuring, developing Strategic & Business plans, fundraising, and implementing development projects. During this period, as a researcher, he carried out cutting edge research published in prestigious International Journals. As an administrator he held senior management positions as a Quality Controller at Geophysical Service Inc (GSI) of the UK, American Oil Company (AMOCO) of the USA, the Kenya Power Company (KPLC), Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) and Geothermal Development Company (GDC). He has been a consultant with the African Development Bank (AfDB), Kuwait Development Fund (KDF) and as an independent consultant to various governments in the region.
He oversaw geothermal development at KenGen’s Olkaria geothermal project from 2002–2009 where he was responsible for the formulation of geothermal development strategy that formed a blueprint for KenGen’s ‘Good to Great’ electricity expansion strategy. He was also the founding Managing Director and CEO of the Geothermal Development Company that from 2009 with a human resource capital of more than 1000.
He was the local technical expert on the World Bank Business Plan and Strategy development team led by Geothermics (USA) and PWC consultants in 2007 on the development of a special purpose geothermal company. Formulated the strategic resource development plan and scaling up of a holistic, full spectrum utilization of geothermal resources. Of note, is his experience in fund raising and, developing the research and consultancy function within the geothermal team in Kenya to serve the rapidly expanding regional geothermal market.
Dr. Simiyu has been a Visiting Lecturer at the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), Masdar Institute, Masdar City, Abu Dhabi where his lecture series was on “Learning to change the World: Public-Private Partnership; Promoting Renewable Energy in Developing Countries”.
He was founder of African Rift Geothermal Organization (ARGeo), founder and Chairman of the Geothermal Association of Kenya (GSK), and Director of the International Geothermal Association (IGA).
In 2011, he was recognized by President Mwai Kibaki with the “Order of Moran of the Burning Spear (MBS)” for his exemplary contribution to National Development.