Status of Geothermal Exploration in Kenya and Future Plans for Its Development

Abstract

Kenya is endowed with vast geothermal resource potential along the world Kenya Rift that transects the country from north to south. Exploration reveals that geothermal potential exceeds 7,000 MWe and is capable of meeting all of Kenya’s electricity needs over the next 20 years. Out of this potential, only 167 MWe and 18 MWt are being utilized for indirect and direct uses respectively. Kenya Electricity Generating Company Ltd (KenGen) and Geothermal Development Company Ltd (GDC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy (MoE) has undertaken detailed surface studies of most of the prospects in the Kenya rift, which comprises Suswa, Longonot, Olkaria, Eburru, Menengai, Lakes Bogoria and Baringo, Korosi and Paka volcanic fields. The Least Cost Power Development Plan (2008-2028) prepared by the Government of Kenya indicates that geothermal plants have the lowest unit cost and therefore suitable for base load and thus, recommended for additional expansion. Electric power demand in Kenya currently stands at over 8% annually. In order to meet the anticipated growth in demand, The Kenya Government through the newly formed utility (GDC) has embarked on an ambitious generation expansion plan to install additional 1500 MWe and 4000 MWe of electric power by the year 2018 and 2030 from geothermal sources respectively. The planned geothermal developments require over 1000 wells to be drilled and about 30 large power stations of about 140 MWe each to be built at a total cost of over US$16 billion inclusive of wells and steam gathering system.