(Yicai Global) May 31 -- Two state-backed Chinese firms will conduct in-depth cooperation in uranium exploration and equipment manufacturing in Kenya, as well as a build a geothermal power plant in the African country.

China National Nuclear and China National Petroleum penned an agreement yesterday on the cooperation, state-backed news outlet The Paper reported today.

Their comprehensive development and utilization project of geothermal resources in Kenya.

The two parties plan to use the Olkaria geothermal field in the Great Rift Valley region, East Africa, to build the plant, marking the companies first such project overseas. It will help ensure the supply of local power resources in Kenya and support local economic development.

Kenya has prioritized geothermal heat as its largest clean energy source to solve local power problems. It plans to expand geothermal capacity to more than 5,000 megawatts by 2030 so that it covers major cities across the country. Investment in this area is also increasing. China, the US and many others are involved in construction there.

CNNC established a geothermal industry alliance in December 2017, focused on geothermal power generation and clean heating businesses.