- Five African countries have tapped Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) technological savvy and decade’s old expertise in geothermal exploration to assist them tap and transition to green energy power use.
The move is in line with commitments to the Paris Climate Agreement (2015), which seeks to enable countries to reduce their carbon emissions footprints, limit global temperatures to below 2 ‘Celsius and reverse climate-induced calamities.
KenGen years of geothermal exploration have seen Kenya lead its African peers by generating 754 MW of geothermal power with plans to double it to 1,500 MW by 2034.
The remarkable achievement has seen Tanzania, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Zambia and E-Swatini tap its expertise to accelerate their transition to green energy power sources, especially geothermal power.
According to company Managing Director Eng. Peter Njenga, KenGen has been awarded exploration rights in Zambia and Tanzania while drilling is ongoing in Ethiopia, Djibouti and E-Swatini.
Dr. Njenga said KenGen will deploy its technological support and decade’s old expertise to assist the individual countries transition to clean energy sources following Kenya’s remarkable footsteps.
Speaking in Naivasha, Njenga said the company is on course in rehabilitation of the old Olkaria 1 power plant which once complete will see it increase its power generation from the current 45MW to 63MW.
“The rehabilitation of the old Olkaria 1 power plant is 50 percent complete and it aims to add 18 MW more to our national grid from current 45 MW to 63 MW by 2026,” said Njenga.
Njenga said KenGen supplies 60 percent of Kenya electricity needs every day adding that the company is committed to expand its wings to meet the growing demand for steady power supply for households and industries.
In addition, Njenga said that KenGen is seeking funding from investors to realize its 10-year strategic plan (2024-2035) which aims to increase green energy power generation to 1,500 MW and ensure the country’s energy mix is 100 percent green.
Njenga said with only 1,000 MW of geothermal energy power being tapped out of the 10,000 MW potential, KenGen will partner with other agencies, including Geothermal Development Company (GDC) to explore more sources in Menengai, Suswa, and Eburru among others to achieve the ambitious targets.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
