Kenya Electricity Generating Company PLC ( KenGen ) has awarded a multibillion declaration for the rehabilitation of Kenya ’s one-time geothermal power plant , aiming to increase its turnout from 45MW to 63MW in a move to accelerate the country ’s modulation to immature energy .
The NSE - listed electricity generator said the strategical initiative is poise to promote the power plant life ’s operational efficiency and increase electricity generation output by up to 40 % compared to existing conventional models , whose first unit was commission in 1981 and has since been decommission .
reservoir : KenGen
In the tender , SEPCOIII Electric Power Construction Co. , Ltd will be the Engineering , Procurement , and building contractors ( EPC ) , whereas Toshiba Energy Systems and Solutions Corporation ( Toshiba ESS ) has been award the declaration to render steam turbine and generator for the three unit of the business leader plant .
KenGen ’s Managing Director and CEO , Eng . Peter Njenga state , " The renovation of Olkaria I symbolise a historical milestone for KenGen as we keep our dedication to sustainable energy solution . By leveraging the late advancements in geothermal engineering science , we purpose to not only enhance the carrying into action of the industrial plant but also set new monetary standard for renewable vigour yield in Kenya . "
The project , scheduled for completion by December 2026 , is designed to coordinate with Kenya ’s broader Energy Department objective and the Vision 2030 initiative , which envisions a changeover to 100 % green energy by the end of the decade .
" As the oldest geothermal index plant in Africa , Olkaria I carry significant diachronic grandness and stands as a testament to Kenya ’s pioneering efforts in renewable energy production and , therefore , the excitation for us to have this mightiness flora back on the grid , " said Eng . Njenga .
The KenGen CEO tell : " Having operated for more than 40 years , this confirms the sustainability of geothermal match with the acquisition set and human resource potentiality that KenGen has developed over the years , we are confident the task will be nail on prison term and within budget . "
Through this redevelopment , KenGen aim to not only exsert the operational lifetime of Olkaria I but also establish a model for sustainable vitality growth that can be replicated across the region as Kenya angles to work the 10,000MW of geothermal potency in the Rift Valey area of Kenya .
For more information : KenGenwww.kengen.co.ke
