State-owned energy producer Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) shared statistics by Think Geo Energy showing Kenya among top geothermal energy-producing countries.
“Backed by a wealth of cutting-edge expertise,KenGen has distinguished itself as Africa’s leading geothermal power producer and propelled Kenya into the league of top ten geothermal power producers in the world”, KenGen posted on Twitter and Facebook.
The USA is leading with 3722 MegaWatts (MW), followed by Indonesia at 2276MW, the Philippines (1918MW), Turkey (1710MW), New Zealand (1037MW), Mexico (963MW), Italy (944MW), Kenya (861MW), Iceland (754MW), Japan (603MW).
Other smaller geothermal energy producing counties totals to 1067MW.
KenGen has been working to secure financing for the exploration and expansion of the Geothermal well. In a few years, the output will surpass 1000MW. Kenya will then join the Gigawatt club in geothermal energy production.
Geothermal energy was first discovered and developed in Italy over 100 years ago at the beginning of the last century (20th century).
It held the top spot until the second half of the 20th century when other countries took an interest in the power source.
The 83.3MW Olkaria I Unit six power plant will be ready by June 2022. When it will be commissioned, it will bring the installed capacity to 944MW, at par with Italy.
Kenya has a geothermal potential of over 10000MW, this is according to former Energy Cabinet Secretary Charles Keter.
In Africa where Kenya is ranked top, Ethiopia is the only other country with developed geothermal energy (7 MW) and it is set to upscale after signing Sh13.4billion drilling deals with KenGen in February and October 2019.
Kenya also plans to scale up its use of steam through its state-owned Geothermal Development Company (GDC) which will diversify the use of hot steam to pasteurise milk, heat greenhouses and fishponds as well as use in laundromats.
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