This archive report was first published on 11 October 2019.
Kenya is set to take a significant step towards increasing its renewable energy capacity with the construction of a multi-billion shilling geothermal power plant on the Menengai Crater Floor in Nakuru. The project, which has been in the works for some time, is expected to commence in December this year.
According to County Commissioner Erastus Mbui Mwenda, Kenya Electricity Transmission Company Ltd (KETRACO) and Geothermal Development Company have already constructed power transmission lines that will link the station to the national grid.
Three Independent Power Producers (IPPs) have been cleared by the Geothermal Development Company (GDC) and granted licenses by the State to start operations at the Menengai Crater Floor in Nakuru. These include Sosian Menengai, Quantam Power East Africa, and OrPower22, which are expected to set up power plants under a build–own–operate model.
Each of the IPPs is expected to set up at least a 35MW modular geothermal power plant in the Menengai Crater field to generate a cumulative 170 Mega Watts. The project is expected to drive the agenda of food security and manufacturing in the country.
General Manager, Geothermal Development Resources at GDC Cornel Ofuna says the firm had commenced the second phase of drilling wells at the Menengai Crater floor targeting an addition 60 Megawatts. Once complete, the Menengai Geothermal Station will produce enough electricity to serve almost half a million homesteads and 300,000 businesses.
