Kenya To Ramp Up Geothermal Energy
by Eliza Barclay, Nomad on 08. 1.08
Like many developing countries with a surging economy and population, Kenya is finding its energy supply increasingly tight. Currently, electric supply capacity is close to its limit at 1,080 MW when peak hour demand reaches nearly 1,000 MW, according to AFP. Though coal is the cheapest option for boosting supply, Kenya is also looking to further tap into its substantial geothermal resources to meet demand. Near the town of Naivasha, northwest of Nairobi, underground hot water sources and steam at 300 degrees Celsius can be piped up the surface from up two kilometers (6,500 feet) below and turned into electricity.
President Mwai Kibaki recently announced a plan to produce an extra 2,000 megawatts within 10 years, with 85 percent (1,700 MW) to come from geothermal plants. At the country's main Ol Karia plant, near Naivasha, engineers and experts are discussing prospection and drilling plans.
"Because geothermal energy is our only indigenous source of energy, we're going for it. We can supply Kenya's entire needs with geothermal alone," Silas Simiyu, who works at Ol Karia, says.
he major drawback of geothermal energy is the size of the initial investment. One MW of geothermal-produced electricity costs around three million dollars, 30 percent more than what coal-powered plants produce. Kenya's geothermal energy plan is being supported with donations and preferential loans from the World Bank and German government. :: Via AFP
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Despite the extra cost and the larger initial investment, this project will have a payback in lower operating fuel costs and in a cleaner world.
When a poor third world country like Kenya makes the greater effort to be green, then richer countries cannot justify worse choices.
I lived near Naivasha and took the opportunity to visit the town and the national park nearby named Hell's Gate, where there is plenty of geothermal activity to witness besides the animals. Olkaria, mentioned in the piece, is the name of the extinct volcano where the power plant is located. Great to hear that they're making even more advances in this field.
So the last to develop economically will leap-frog over us into sustainability.
And the last shall be first, and the first shall be last.
I have fond memories of Hell's Gate NP near Naivasha where I studied zebras for a college course, and I recall seeing the geothermal plants nearby. Way to go Kenya! Nzuri sana!
"One MW of geothermal-produced electricity costs around three million dollars, 30 percent more than what coal-powered plants produce."
I think you meant cost, not produce.
Great article. If they maximize potential, they could be a net exporter of power.
wow !!! I am so proud of Kenya's energy sustainability road map. It's amazing how how a coutry with limited resources had taken giant steps surpassing the so-called "global North" wait till you see how much fossil fuel the country uses, and the declining reliance on oil.
This country is also investing big time in wind power. A proposed nearly USD 1 billion and feasibility studies already done.
Solar power is becoming big as well and plans underway to invest in it.
As a developing country, the reliance on biomas (wood and charcoal) is inevitably still a major source of energy in the rural Kenya, but the ongoing rural electrification project will trasform the rural, while reforestation and agroforestry will act as environmental remediation, carbon sinks and restore wildlife habitat.
Energy sustainability will increase kenya's energy security and mitigate susceptibility to world energy crisis. It will also be an opportunity to export extra MW to neighbouring countries, sell the technolygyand create prospects for government's carbon trading. well.... i could go on and on exploring the zero emissions and socioeconomic benefits and more. For now I say
STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION KENYA !!