Toshiba wins renovation order for Kenya geothermal plant

• a month ago (2024-03-19)
• David Flin

Africa 303 Gas 371

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Toshiba Energy Systems and Solutions has won an order from SEPCOIII Electric Power Construction for steam turbines and generators to renovate units 1-3 of the 45 MW Olkaria I geothermal power plant in Kenya. The equipment will be shipped to the site by December 2025.

Olkaria I is the oldest geothermal power plant in Kenya and has been in commercial operation by the Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) since 1981.

Units 1-3 need renovation due to aging. The renovation will increase the power output of each unit from 15 MW to 21 MW.

Kenya’s economic growth is spurring demand for power. The government has developed a plan for development, Vision 2030, which includes provision for boosting Kenya’s electricity generating capacity from renewable sources and seeking to transition to 100 per cent renewable energy by 2030. It is planning new power plants to tap into the 9 GW geothermal potential in Kenya’s Great Rift Valley region.

Toshiba ESS and KenGen have signed an MOU for a partnership on O&M services, and they aim to provide O&M services for geothermal power plants for developing countries including East African countries outside Kenya.