Kenya: New geothermal power plant set for construction

24 July 2012

Kenyan president Mwai Kibaki has announced plans for a new power project that should ultimately provide the country with sufficient power supplies and also cut the cost of electricity, Capital FM reports.

It has been confirmed that the Olkaria 280Mw geothermal project will help raise electricity capacity by as much as 25 per cent.

And according to president Kibaki, the project will raise Kenya's geothermal contribution to a level whereby the demand for energy can be met.

"I am happy to note that this project begins the shift from hydro based electricity to a geothermal based power future," the president said.

"Unlike hydro generation that is at times affected by vagaries of weather forcing us to rely on expensive modes of generation, geothermal is affordable, stable, renewable and clean."

The Kenyan government is determined to accelerate economic growth in the country and sees such projects as key to achieving this ambition.

Category: Energy