Environmental Audit Score-Card for Menengai Geothermal Project, Kenya: 2011-2013

Abstract

The Menengai geothermal drilling project follows a No Objection Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) in 2007. The Environmental Management and Co-ordination Act of 1999 (EMCA 1999) cascades from International Environmental Legislation and requires annual environmental audits for projects stated in the second schedule. The primary objective; to check compliance and conformity to the Environmental Management Plan (EMP) realized from ESIA studies. Not only do the Audits satisfy national legislation against environmental litigation and liabilities, but also donor requirements which require assurance on projects sustainability with respect to environmental impacts and public acceptance. The Geothermal Development Company limited (GDC) is currently developing Menengai geothermal field through government and donor support. The project’s medium term goal is development of the field in phases to a capacity of 460 MWe by the year 2016. To ensure continuous improvement with respect to sustainable development and realize the intended plans, the company schedules annual external environmental audits and quarterly internal environmental audits. This paper presents a qualitative and quantitative environmental measure of environmental impacts arising from Menengai’s project processes stemming from exploratory to production drilling with respect to EMP compliance. Key environmental impacts arising from project activities in various areas of operation, such as infrastructural works and drilling processes are evaluated against key environmental performance indicators with set targets for appraisal during environmental audits. Based on the findings, improvement orders are designed for issue to specific departments. The systematic approach can also be applicable to other geothermal projects. The process is intended to raise environmental awareness, evaluate and improve environmental performance and compliance in geothermal development.