Infrastructure Development in Geothermal Fields: a Case Study for Menengai Geothermal Prospect, Kenya

Abstract

The world over is gearing towards exploring and harnessing of renewable energy. This is because green energy development is the theme towards reduction of green house gases and hence reduce global warming. Geothermal energy is one of the green energy and Kenya in particular has a potential over 7,000 MWe along in the Kenya Rift. Kenya is therefore exploring and harnessing this renewable and promising geothermal energy. To develop this immense potential, a lot of infrastructure development is required. Geothermal fields are naturally located in very steep and rugged terrains with no meaningful, or none at all and therefore logistical arrangements are required in the development of infrastructure in a geothermal field. Normally accessibility of geothermal potential areas is difficult until these fields are opened up to ease mobility into and within the prospects. There are various infrastructural development that are required in a geothermal field before actual drilling can be undertaken. These include; Access roads network, water supply connections, well pads and circulation ponds construction, electricity connections and provision of lay down areas. This paper therefore discusses these critical infrastructural development and an approximate cost of each task. It also describes the challenges encountered from access road provision until the drilling phases of geothermal wells.