- Commercial operations at the 35 MW Menengai geothermal plant have been postponed due to insufficient steam supply from GDC.
- The delay comes as Kenya continues to face electricity rationing driven by generation shortfalls across the national grid.
- Globeleq’s 52 MWp Malindi Solar plant remains operational under a 20 year Power Purchase Agreement with Kenya Power.
Globeleq has postponed the connection of its 35 MW geothermal power plant in Menengai, Nakuru County, to Kenya’s national grid after the Geothermal Development Company (GDC) failed to provide the steam required to operate the facility.
The project, one of three geothermal power plants being developed within the Menengai geothermal complex, was expected to contribute additional renewable energy capacity to the country’s power system. However, the delay in steam delivery has prevented the plant from commencing commercial operations, creating a setback for efforts to strengthen electricity supply in Kenya.
Under the project’s contractual framework, GDC is responsible for supplying steam to the independent power producer. The shortfall has resulted in a standstill between the parties and pushed back the planned commissioning schedule.
The delay comes at a challenging time for Kenya’s energy sector. Since late 2024, households and businesses across the country have experienced recurring electricity rationing and supply interruptions as generation capacity struggles to keep pace with demand. The addition of new geothermal capacity was expected to help alleviate pressure on the national grid and improve energy security.
Geothermal energy remains a cornerstone of Kenya’s renewable energy strategy, providing reliable baseload power that supports the country’s transition to a low carbon electricity system. Delays to key projects such as Menengai could therefore have wider implications for power sector reliability and economic activity.
Despite the setback at Menengai, Globeleq continues to maintain a presence in Kenya’s renewable energy market through its 52 MWp Malindi Solar plant. The facility remains fully operational and supplies electricity to Kenya Power under a long term 20 year Power Purchase Agreement.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
