This archive report was first published on 16 September 2019.
On September 14, 2019, a significant milestone was achieved in Kenya's quest for green energy with the discovery of steam at Paka Well in Tiaty Constituency, Baringo County. This breakthrough is a crucial step towards increasing the country's geothermal power capacity.
According to Geothermal Development Authority Managing Director Johnston Ole Nchoe, the six wells at the Baringo-Silali geothermal power project are expected to significantly lower power bills in the country and improve access to electricity.
Kenya currently has 690 MW of installed geothermal capacity, with the country targeting to have 5530 MW of geothermal power by 2030. The Baringo-Silali project, which covers three geothermal prospects, is expected to produce 300 MW of power once complete.
The project, valued at 1.5 billion shillings, is critical in further lowering the cost of electricity in the country and driving the big four agenda. Drilling and development of the field will be done in three phases, with each well expected to produce 100 megawatts.
