Geothermal power is very cost-effective in the Great Rift Valley of Kenya, East Africa. As of 2023[update], Kenya has 891.8 MW of installed geothermal capacity.[1][2] Kenya was the first African country to build geothermal energy sources. The Kenya Electricity Generating Company, which is 74% state-owned, has built several plants to exploit the Olkaria geothermal resource; Olkaria I (268.3 MW), Olkaria II (105 MW), Olkaria IV (140 MW), Olkaria V (158 MW),[3] and Wellhead generation plants (75 MW), with a third private plant Olkaria III (139 MW). Additionally, a pilot wellhead plant of 2.5 MW has been commissioned at Eburru; and, two small scale plants with a total of 4 MW have been built by Oserian Development Company powering businesses on and around Oserian land.
Currently, the exploration of geothermal wells in Kenya as well as sale of geothermal steam to the Kenya Electricity Generating Company[4] and Independent Power Producers for the purpose of electricity generation is undertaken by the Geothermal Development Company.
- ^ "Djibouti borrows a green leaf from Kenya, taps geothermal energy". Energy Siren. 15 February 2019. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
- ^ "All you need to know about Kenya's geothermal power plants". Energy Siren. 17 December 2018. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
- ^ M, Dominic (24 October 2019). "Unit II of Olkaria V geothermal power plant in Kenya fully operational". Construction Review Online.
- ^ "KenGen". www.kengen.co.ke. Retrieved 2022-10-11.