Kenya has committed to going big on geothermal energy.

ESI Africa reports that the government-owned Geothermal Development Company (GDC) has plans worth KES102.2 billion to develop six new steam fields and to drill another 57 wells before 2027.

The GDC aims to add at least 218 MW of geothermal energy to the grid by 2027, as outlined in its latest Strategic Plan 2023–2024.

The country has an estimated geothermal energy potential of 10 GW, but currently has less than 1 GW of installed capacity, of which 365 MW is generated into the grid.

The new steam fields will be developed at Paka, Silali, Korosi-Chepchuk, Suswa, Menengai Caldera and Menengai West, while the GDC is also rehabilitating the country’s oldest geothermal power plant, Olkaria 1, to increase output from 45 MW to 63 MW.

23 April 2024
Image: ARGeo