In May this year , the Geothermal Development Company ( GDC ) opened the Master valve of a well , the first exploration well in the Paka Geothermal Prospect and the first geothermal well , north of the equator within Kenya ’s East Africa Rift System . To make geothermal - generated electrical energy , well as mysterious as 2 kilometers or more are bore to tap steam and very blistering water that drive turbines linked to electricity source . Already , there are positive indications from the well , signal succeeder and heralding a new chapter in the evolution of geothermal energy in Kenya and a momentous milestone for GDC as the company strives to accelerate the development of geothermic resources in Kenya through Earth’s surface exploration and drilling for steam .
by Eng . Johnson P Ole Nchoe , Managing Director & CEO , Geothermal Development Company
geographic expedition drilling in Baringo SilaliThe geothermal vista in Northern Kenya are of enceinte significance . In its integrality , the northern region of the Kenyan Rift is consider to have a electric potential of more than 3000MWe . Juxtaposed to the country ’s peak need which currently stands at 1802MW , it is implied that the geothermal resourcefulness in the Frederick North , when monetize , could corroborate the full land ’s electrical energy need .
GDC scientist have been conducting surface exploration in the expansive geothermal country and have identify land site in the Paka , Korosi and Silali Geothermal Prospects where exploratory boring activities will be take in charge . The first of the exploration wells , the well , was spudded in December 2018 and as call by GDC geoscientists , the well was a great achiever . The over 2.5 km well penetrated a eminent temperature productive zones from 900 meters to the bottom .
The succeeder in the Paka geothermic athletic field is a major milestone not just for GDC but also for the state and the exploitation partners who have supported the fellowship ’s exploration activity in the due north . Most famed of developing partner is the German Development Bank ( KfW ) , the Africa Union Commission and the UK ’s Department for International Development – through the Geothermal Risk Mitigation Fund ( GRMF ) . If the winner in the Paka Geothermal Field is replicated in the other theater ( Korosi Geothermal Prospect and Silali Geothermal Prospect ) as predicted , then it connote that the governing will be able to rollout development project with the self-confidence that one of the most vital stimulation for infrastructural development – electric powerfulness , is available in abundance and can be supplied at the lowest cost , with almost negligible negative impact to the environs .
start the Big 4 AgendaKenya has vast geothermal resourcefulness which are critical for internal growth . With GDC ’s success in northern Kenya , the goals outlined in the Government ’s Economic Transformation Agenda – the Big 4 Agenda and fundamentally the Vision 2030 objective to metamorphose the country ’s thriftiness from a largely agrarian to an industrialized economy , becomes practicable . As demonstrated through numerous empirical studies , industrial growth is impel by the excreting of the salient business process constraints , key of which is the approachability to stable provision of cost efficient major power . Currently , the steam create by GDC is being converted to electrical energy as a cost of $ 7 cts per kWh . The first phase of the Baringo Silali undertaking quarry to turn in 300 MW of electrical energy to the national gridiron in the next five ( 5 ) year . Geothermal sourced electricity therefore , fits the nib for several reason . It ’s an apt base - loading reservoir of exponent , relatively inexpensive , abundant here in Kenya , renewable and environmentally well-disposed .
Industrial parksThe Geothermal Development Company envisions the ontogenesis of industrial parks conterminous to Baringo - Silali geothermic field where investor will set up their stand to utilise the geothermal zip and other by - products supply centrally by GDC . With low costs of production , catapulted by the utilization of the promptly available geothermal energy , the parks will spur the socio - economic development of the region . The company is keen to work with development partners to actualize the execution of bombastic scale direct use program .
Direct usage of geothermal energyApart from the conventional electricity generation , geothermic energy and by - merchandise constituents can be directly utilize for economic and societal increase peculiarly to enhance food security . There is a magnanimous potentiality for direct uses of geothermal in Northern Kenya . Since most of the geothermic potential area are in teetotal areas , brine and steam condensation can water craw and fresh fish . Other Direct Uses of geothermic energy include growing crops in greenhouses , drying crops , heating water system at aquaculture ponds and industrial processes , such as pasteurizing Milk River .
Social - economic developmentNotably , socioeconomic benefits from base development is invaluable . Accessibility to the region is no longer a challenge as GDC has constructed over 100 km of roads in Korosi , Paka and Silali . This has ease tape drive in the area and opened the area for likely investors .
GDC rig mounted at the Paka Prospect in the Baringo – Silali Geothermal Project
In addition , roads have a positivist encroachment on inhabitants . The roadstead base is expected to enhance the residents ’ ability to get at societal services and marketplace for their goods and therefore contribute to improve their exist standard . Besides the road , GDC has also provide water to the communities and has constructed biotic community water points . GDC is , in gist , promote sustainable development echoing the UN Sustainable goal which will step by step ameliorate the calibre of animation for Baringo - Silali resident physician .
In Kenya , successful discovery of steam in the Paka Geothermal Project area , which geoscientific studies suggest will be replicated further abroad , beckons a new dawn in the country ’s industrialization journey . Continued success in the monetisation of geothermal resources in Northern Kenya will not only allow for an eventual reduction in the cost of power in Kenya , but it will also give greater authority to both regime and individual investors when planning for energy - intensive undertaking in the nation such as those envisioned in Vision 2030 .
For more information : Geothermal Development CompanyKawi House , South C Bellevue+254 719 037 000[email protected]www.gdc.co.ke
