The Ministry of Energy PS Dr. Eng. Joseph Njoroge on Wednesday said that the government is aiming by the end of 2022, all Kenyans will have access to power, either by grid or an off-grid solution.
Njoroge, speaking early in the evening to a local television station, said that Kengen is a leader in providing geothermal power in the region. He cited examples where the state-owned company has been awarded a contract in Ethiopia to explore and extract geothermal energy in the country and also offering technical support to Djibouti on the development of geothermal projects in the country.
Through KENGEN, Kenya has pushed hard to harness its geothermal capabilities. It generated 45 megawatts of power with geothermal energy in 1985 and now generates about 861 MW.
The rise of Kenya’s geothermal industry – it ranks eighth in the world in geothermal energy production, according to the Geothermal Council Resource, a US industry association – has helped reduce electricity rates and expand access to electricity.
Kengen pumped an addition of 193.3 MW in 2019, the largest expansion by country.
Kengen MD and CEO Ms.Rebecca Miano said the company was on course in the development of clean and renewable energy which are set for completion by 2020.
“The projects include the Olkaria V 140MW, Olkaria VI 140MW, Olkaria VII 140MW, Olkaria I Unit 6 70MW, Olkaria I Rehabilitation 5.7MW and Olkaria I AU & IV topping plant 60MW”.
She said plans were at an advanced stage for the development of Meru Wind Phase I 80MW, Geothermal Wellheads 50MW and Ngong III project 10MW.
