Centum Investment Company Plc and its partners plan to resume exploration for geothermal steam in Naivasha by March after previous two wells yielded less resource than what is required to sustain electricity generation.
Akiira Geothermal Ltd, a consortium where Centum controls a 37.5 per cent stake, banks on the planned drilling to kick-start building of a 70-megawatt power plant whose cost is projected at €310 million (Sh36.04 billion).
The first two wells, whose drilling works started in 2015, encountered some steam which was, however, not enough to support power generation to be connected to the national grid.
Centum chief executive James Mworia said: “We are in advanced discussions with strategic partners to do a joint development of the field and we expect to conclude that in the first quarter and to carry on with the drilling activities.”
“The field is rich in geothermal. It’s just next to KenGen’s Olkaria field. So, I have no doubt it’s going to be a successful operation. It’s just that it has taken us a long time,” he added.
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From the Global Geothermal News archives:
From the Global Geothermal News archives:
- Monday, September 10, 2018 - Kenya: Akiira Geothermal Ltd Confident of Commercial Operation of 70 MW First Phase in 2022
- Tuesday, January 23, 2018 - Kenya: 70 MW Akiira One Geothermal Project to Get European Investment Bank Loan
- Wednesday, September 21, 2016 - Kenya: USTDA to Fund 70 MW Akiira Geothermal Power Project
- Tuesday, April 5, 2016 - Kenya: Akiira Geothermal to Drill Two More Wells Starting in June
- Wednesday, March 2, 2016 - Kenya: 70 MW Akira One Geothermal Project Receives Grant for Drilling
