KenGen to add another 83.3MW of geothermal power by December – KBC

Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) expect to inject another 83.3MW of geothermal power from Olkaria 1 Additional United 6 Power Plant by December 2021.

The firm says it has commenced installation of a Kshs. 600 million steam turbine, a key component which usually rotates to drive the generator that produces electricity.

“This is the largest single unit of turbine we will be installing in any of our power plants with a capacity of 83.3MW and with its installation we are now entering the final phase of construction of the power plant,” said Rebecca Miano, KenGen Managing Director.

Japan’s Fuji Electric which is the manufacturer of the turbine has also deployed its technical adviser who will work with engineers from KenGen during the three months installation process according to Miano.

She said works on the three year project commissioned by President Uhuru Kenyatta in December 2018 has progressed as per the set timeline despite setbacks due to COVID-19.

“With these activities running concurrently, it will ensure that the power plant’s commissioning is achieved in the last quarter of the year 2021,” she added.

In January this year, a team of 15 engineers and experts in heavy lifting successfully mounted a generator weighing 99 tonnes (99,000 kilograms) onto the power plant’s Steam Turbine in Olkaria, Naivasha.

Upon completion, the power plant will generate 83.3MW of electricity which will be injected into the national grid.

KenGen says construction of the additional power plant is aligned to the company’s long-term strategy and the Least Cost Power Development Plan (LCPDP) focused on sustainable supply of renewable energy in support of the Government Big Four Agenda.

KenGen currently supplies about 72% of the electricity consumed in Kenya, with over 80% of this coming from renewable sources.

The company has a total installed generation capacity of 1,818MW comprising hydro (826MW) geothermal (713MW) thermal (254MW) and wind (26MW).