The Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) has added 25.6 Megawatts (MW) to the national grid generated through its mobile geothermal well heads.
The wellheads, a first of its kind, are part of the company’s strategy to increase the amount of electricity produced for national consumption.
KenGen CEO Albert Mugo said the company will complete the final tests on the 14 mobile geothermal wellheads in December next year. This is expected to add 75MW to the national grid, a move expected to reduce electricity costs in the country.
He added, “The only challenge we have faced is the lack of an evacuation line for one of the well heads but we are working on this with partners.”
Speaking during a media tour of the Olkaria Geothermal power plant, Mugo said that the innovative technology will help Kenya tap into its geothermal resources faster to reduce the cost of power. He said that more power will enhance the country’s energy stability.
“We intend to cut costs by introducing wells that are not diesel operated. This will help us in the proper generation of electricity,” he said.
Geothermal well heads are quick to deploy units that allow the tapping of geothermal wells almost immediately after drilling. This is in comparison to the four or five years it takes to build a conventional power plant.
“It cost more than Sh400 million to drill a well. This means we have to wait for long to recover the colossal costs, some of which is borrowed.”
The government of Kenya is currently pursuing an ambitious programme seeking to add 5,000 MW to the national grid by 2017.
Currently the total national electricity output stands at slightly over 1,700 MW.