The Geothermal Development Company, a government-owned company that is mandated to execute surface geothermal development, has announced the groundbreaking of the third geothermal power plant at the Menengai Geothermal Project
Set to take place on 24 October and presided over by Kenyan President William Ruto, the groundbreaking has been described as an important step in the country’s transition to clean and reliable energy. Further, it underscores Kenya’s commitment to sustainable energy generation and enhancing the country’s energy mix.
The groundbreaking of the 35MW power plant by OrPower 22, the third independent power producer (IPP) at the site in the eastern sector of the Menengai Caldera, is the next step in the delivery of the wider project that has a long-term goal of developing 465MW of geothermal steam equivalent.
Phase 1 of the Menengai projects targets to generate 105MW and will be met through the three IPPs on site. The first, Sosian, started to generate 35MW in late 2023 while Globeleq is currently the second power plant which will also generate 35MW.
According to the Geothermal Development Company, the delivery of the third power plant promises wide-ranging benefits, such as lower electricity costs (power from the Menengai Geothermal Project is the most competitively priced at 7 $cts/ kWh). Moreover, there will be job opportunities unlocked as it progresses, while boosting economic growth.
A milestone in Kenya’s energy transition
The Menengai Geothermal Project will be developed in five phases with the goal of developing 465MW of geothermal steam equivalent. (Image source: GDC)
