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AFRICA’S geothermal potential is huge, particularly in the Rift Valley, which extends from the Horn of Africa to Malawi. According to the United Nations Environment Program and the Infrastructure Consortium, the geothermal potential capacity for eastern Africa is more than 20 GW.
Kenya is the leading producer of geothermal energy in Africa and is ranked among the top ten in the world. The Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KENGEN) currently generates 799 megawatts (MW) from geothermal steam, which is found deep underground in the Rift Valley but aims to produce over 50% of its power from geothermal energy by 2030.
The world’s largest geothermal power producer is the United States, with 3,794MW, while Iceland, which produces 99% of its electricity from renewable resources, uses geothermal for 20% of its energy needs. Geothermal accounts for over 40% of Kenya’s power.
The Olkaria Geothermal Power Plants, which is the largest geothermal power complex in Kenya, is owned and operated by KENGEN.
According to Cyrus Karingithi, the Resource Development and Infrastructure Manager at Kengen, drilling and generating power from a single geothermal source can cost up to US$6 million.
The first geothermal plant in Kenya was built 42 years ago with a capacity to generate 45 MW of power. The country now aims to increase the amount of geothermal to supply over 50% of its power needs by 2030.
A wellhead is a miniature power plant with all the components of a standard power plant. Each wellhead generates 5 to 6 megawatts of power.
A wellhead can be installed within six months, while a big power plant takes about 36 months. KenGen has 16 wellheads generating 83.5 megawatts. One megawatt can power 5000 homes.
