Kenya’s 280 MW Olkaria geothermal power plant, the world’s largest, began commercial operation today, with an opening ceremony held yesterday and attended by government officials. The plant (pictured) will provide almost 20 per cent of the nation’s total power capacity.
Kenya is among the world’s most active regions for geothermal development, and figures from the national statistics bureau showed that 381.6 MW of geothermal power was generated in December alone. According to utility Kenya Electricity Generating Co (KenGen), geothermal power now accounts for 51 per cent of the nation’s installed power capacity, displacing hydropower as the top energy source.
“The growth rate seems almost preposterous but we’re seeing 10 geothermal rigs running just in Kenya — they are going crazy with money flowing in,” said Mike Long, executive vice-president of US-based strategic consultancy Galena Advisors. “Geothermal will be growing in Kenya, maybe not to the numbers the government is publishing, but 200 MW per year will be fairly sustained for five+ years.”
