The Government of India is planning to invest US$200 million in geothermal power production in Nakuru and Baringo counties through the Line Credit Initiative, one of the Government of India development assistance instruments.
Speaking during a courtesy call to Deputy Governor Joseph Rutto on Saturday, Suchitra Durai, India High Commissioner to Kenya said through the aforementioned initiative, the Government of India is investing in many projects in Africa and they would want Kenya to benefit, the reason India wants to invest in geothermal power in the two counties among other projects.
‘GDC has geothermal projects in Suswa (Nakuru) and Baringo (Silali-Bogoria), we are planning to invest in this and we are at the moment in discussions with GDC. Studies have been done by Indian companies and these have been examined by our Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi. There were some clarifications that we wanted and that is why I have come to see the projects in Menengai and Olkaria geothermal complexes’, said Suchitra.
She added they have been in discussion with GDC for more than a year and now that the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced a line of credit for projects all over Africa they would like to take it forwards as they would like Kenya to benefit with some projects.
The high commissioner also noted that through the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Programme, they have 250 capacity building courses for government employees asked the County Government of Nakuru employees to take advantage of them.
These courses are in numerous fields and take three weeks to six months and are fully funded by the Indian Government, each year Kenya is given 75-100 slots.
DG Rutto welcomed the Indian investment in geothermal energy in the county saying it will bring development not only to Nakuru but also to the entire nation at large.
Rutto added the county government of Nakuru works closely with the Indian community in the county as they immensely contribute in the growth of Nakuru having heavily invested in several sectors.
The acting managing director and chief executive GDC Paul Ngugi said the financing by the Indian government will facilitate drilling in Suswa and Silali-Bogoria.
‘The financing will mainly provide drilling materials such as casings, rock bits and valves for wall head equipment. Part of Suswa is in Nakuru and Silali-Bogoria is in Baringo County’, said Ngigi.
On the direct steam energy use innovations at Menengai Geothermal Complex, Ngugi said they are a demonstration of making people understand the benefits of geothermal beyond electricity.
He hinted that soon, GDC will seek the cooperation of the County Government of Nakuru in the creation of industrial parks as they are better suited to utilize opportunities available from steam direct use.
Also GDC is seeking partnerships with local communities because using of steam to heat fish ponds and greenhouses can be applied by people on the ground added the MD and CEO GDC.
Rutto was accompanied by the County Secretary Joseph Motari.