The Geothermal Development Company (GDC) in Kenya is set to begin drilling wells to look for steam power for the Baringo-Silali geothermal power project in Baringo County.
GDC’s general manager for drilling and infrastructure George Kinyanjui said the company has spotted three areas namely Silale, Korossi, and Paka as prospective areas which could produce over 100MW.
The Steam Power Project
Kinyanjui also said the first stage of the geothermal project will generate 300MW of electricity that will boost the supply to the national grid. GDC is also planning on pumping water from Lake Baringo to Paka which will enable the well drilling to begin this month.
“GDC is currently developing water systems in the project area with more than 20 wells already drilled in Korosi, Paka and Silale. We have also managed to open the road network to the project area and so far we completed more than 120 Km. We have already put in place drilling wells, three in each of the prospect areas. Drilling works will commence once the water system is complete,” he said.
GDC has already built community distribution systems and nine storage tanks with a capacity of 4.5 million litres each.
Kinyanjui said 15 per cent of the sum revenue the project generates yearly will be used to help the communities living in the neighbouring areas. Moreover, the power generated will be used to light up the Turkana oil fields.
According to the recent World Bank report that tracks global achievement in sustainable energy for all, Kenya has the highest access rate in East Africa due to increased investment in renewable energy and electricity distribution networks.
