Kenya invites investors for geothermal power plants

Last Updated 15 years ago by Kenya Engineer

Kenya’s Geothermal Development Company (GDC) has invited prequalification bids from investors for the development of 400 MW of power from underground steam. The state owned company expects to drill 120 wells in the first phase of the project that will contribute about one quarter of the country’s  current installed  power capacity.

“The estimated 400 MW Menengai Phase 1 project including four power plant construction is projected to be completed by 2014,” the company said in a statement.

“GDC will reap the first four development blocks, drill exploration, appraisal and production wells and offer the steam to  competitively selected investors  who will construct the power plants and generate power from the fuel mined for these blocks.”

GDC estimates that the  project field within Kenya’s Rift Valley has a potential of about 1,250 MW.

“The long term plan is to develop about 1,000 MW within this prospect. However, the current project aims to realize about 400 MW  by year 2014, 600 MW by year 2016 and  1,000 MW by 2018.”

The GDC has pledges worth $400 million, 40 per cent of the amount it needs for a 10-year plan during which it intends to produce  2,000 MW of steam.