Kenya, Britain To Build Menengai Geothermal

Following the commitments and strategies put in place during the Climate Change Conference held in Egypt in November 2022, the Prime Minister of Britain Rishi Sunak, and the Kenya president, H.E William Ruto have commenced the construction of a clean energy plant.

Construction of the Menengai Geothermal Power Plant in Nakuru County will initiate the second green energy infrastructure project under the Sh500 billion deal reached in combating the climate crisis.

The project, under Globeleq, a UK company backed by British International Investment is aimed at producing 35MW of electricity that will boost the rotation of clean energy within the country as it strikes past 70% renewable energy sourcing.

According to UK High Commissioner to Kenya Jane Marriott, the plant is intended to advance Kenya’s global leadership in the climate change arena. She further remarks this is to be a main renewable source of power that will in turn assist lower the cost of power or make it affordable.

Kenya

The plant will play a critical role as it advances the flagship projects of an ambitious five-year agreement which is unlocking mutual benefits for the UK and Kenya as the journey to combating climate change is sought.

It is estimated that the Menengai Geothermal Power Plant will offer a solution of affordable clean energy to approximately 750, 000 Kenyans.  Additionally, the construction of the power plant will be expected to create about 200 job opportunities for Kenyan workers and 35 to 40 permanent staff upon operation.

This follows the project of Geothermal Development Company (GDC), a company that’s wholly owned by the Kenyan government that has drilled geothermal wells in the Menengai Crater, whose total capacity can generate up to 105 MW (141,000 hp) of electric energy.

GDC will sell the steam to three independent power producers (IPPs) to build three geothermal power stations, each with a capacity of 35 MW (47,000 hp). 

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