| Abstract |
Kenya is the leading country in Africa in terms of geothermal power generation and 9th in Global ranking of geothermal producing countries. Main high temperature geothermal sites under development in Kenya are located within the Kenya rift with only one project located outside the main rift. Kenya is currently one of the fastest growing geothermal power markets in the world with a total gross installed capacity of 865 MWe as of December 2021. Geothermal electricity currently contributes about 29% of total installed electricity capacity in Kenya and about 47% of electricity consumed as of December 2021. The installed geothermal capacity comprises 706.8 MWe by Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen), 155 MWe by OrPower4, Inc and 3.6 MWe by Oserian Development Company Ltd. Olkaria geothermal field is so far the largest producing site with current installed capacity of 704.1 MWe while Eburru field has installed capacity of 2.4 MWe. Direct utilization of geothermal resources installed capacity stood at 18.5 MWth (est). Direct use of geothermal resources has remained low with the largest utilization at the Oserian flower farm and KenGen’s Olkaria spa pool. GDC developed direct use pilot plants for greenhouses, milk pasteurizer, aquaculture and laundry. GDC hopes to expand on these initiatives in the near future. Geothermal power development is projected to increase by 86 MWe by 2022 after commissioning of Olkaria I unit VI. Additional 105MWe is expected to come online in phases of 35 MWe each in 2023 from Menengai geothermal field through joint development by Geothermal Development Company and IPPs. Other projects in the pipeline include 83 MW Olkaria VI PPP project. KenGen and GDC have continued to explore and appraise several geothermal sites in Kenya including Eburru, Paka, Korosi and Silali geothermal prospects. Having recognized the potential part that could be played by private investors, the Government has so far licensed thirteen IPPs to undertake greenfield geothermal projects at Barrier, Longonot, Akiira, Elementaita, Homa Hills, Makongeni/Menengai, Lake Magadi, Arus, Baringo, Emuruangogolak, Namarunu, and Emuruapoli prospects. |