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Kenya is to more than double power generation from its Olkaria geothermal fields this year, with power producer KenGen set to commission additional capacity from two existing power generation plants with a combined capacity of 280 MW.
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An additional 100 MW is also anticipated this year from Menengai, where the Geothermal Development Company (GDC) is planning geothermal plants with a 400 MW capacity to be operational by 2017.
Increased capacity from relatively cheap geothermal power is expected to significantly reduce power generator fuel costs, which will in turn lower the cost of electricity for consumers.
Generator fuel costs can sometimes account for as much as 50 per cent of the average consumer energy bill, especially during dry periods when hydroelectric power is diminished and the country shifts reliance to diesel fired power plants.
“We expect to add 140 MW to the grid by March or April and 170 MW in July from Olkaria and a further 100 MW from Menengai in the course of this year,” said Davis Chirchir, Cabinet Secretary for Energy and Petroleum.
Kenya is estimated to have the capacity to produce over 7000 MW of renewable geothermal power, but this is currently hugely under-utilised.
Mr Chirchir recently said there are plans to shut down all diesel fired generators as more generation from geothermal and other less expensive sources begin feeding into the national grid.