GDC on course to producing 300 MW from Baringo-Silali block

Last Updated 8 years ago by Kenya Engineer

GDC (Geothermal Development Company) has rolled out phase 1 of generation of power at Baringo-Silali Geothermal Block in Baringo County which will see development of 300 megawatts of electricity to the national grid. This goes further to cement Kenya’s position as a leading producer of geothermal power. It also adds to the percentage of clean energy in the national grid.
The Baringo-Silali Block has an estimated potential of 3,000MW which will be developed in phases. The first three phases will each develop 100MW with funding from the Government of Kenya and Kreditanstalt fur Wiederaufbau (KfW). Detailed surface studies were completed in early 2013 and an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) License obtained from NEMA. A community engagement framework has been established and the community has given GDC land access rights.
The Government of Kenya (GoK) is funding the construction of access roads and community engagement initiatives while KfW has given GDC a concessional loan of Euros 80 Million for the drilling of the geothermal wells, undertaking several consultancies and installing a water pipeline to supply water for drilling. More than 20 wells already drilled in Korosi,Paka and Silali
So far, GDC has completed access roads to open up the Baringo-Silali area for drilling. GDC contracted Hong Kong Off-Shore Oil Services Limited (HOOSL) to drill the geothermal wells. GDC general manager in charge of drilling and infrastructure Eng. George Kinyanjui has said that the company has already managed to open the road network to the project area with more than 120 kilometres already completed.
“We’ve already put in place drilling wells, three in each of the prospect areas. Drilling works will commence soon once the water system are complete,” said Mr Kinyanjui.
The project has so far attracted 36 bidders who are expected to procure or sub-contract services such as casing and well cementing, rig moving services, drill pipe inspection services, directional drilling and aerated drilling services.
According to GDC Managing Director Eng Johnson Ole Nchoe, the power company has already set aside KES 300 million for the project in the first phase with another KES 600 million to be injected to the project in the second phase.
“On its completed, the project will see the generation of more than KES 11.5 billion annually from the project, with 15 per cent of the total revenue being channeled to benefit the communities surrounding the resource areas,” said Eng. Ole Nchoe while visiting the project area in July.