The Olkaria geothermal project by the public company Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) is 70% completed and has received key equipment, paving the way for increased development of renewable energy in the country. The project is located in Hell’s Gate National Park, Kenya, about 120 kilometers from the capital, Nairobi.
Once completed, as stated in a press release on Wednesday, June 18, the Olkaria I geothermal project is expected to provide 63 megawatts of renewable energy to the Kenyan national grid, further solidifying the country’s position as a global leader in geothermal energy.
The public company announced that two steam turbines and two generators for the power plant have arrived at the Olkaria site.
It was revealed that the latest turbines and generators for unit 1, shipped at the end of May, are currently en route and should arrive by the end of June. Other essential components of the power plant have already been delivered, and several are already installed, with construction entering its final phase.
“The arrival and installation of these key components mark a major milestone in our commitment to providing affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy to the Kenyan population,” said Peter Njenga, CEO of KenGen, on the sidelines of the African Energy Forum taking place this week in Cape Town, South Africa.
“We have now reached 70% of the key project milestones and are on track to commission the first turbine by June 2026,” added the recently appointed CEO.
Kenya is already Africa’s leading producer of geothermal energy, with much of its electricity generated in the Rift Valley volcanic region. Olkaria has played a crucial role in this success, with several power plants contributing to the national energy mix.
The addition of 63 MW will bring Olkaria I’s installed capacity to new heights, further solidifying Kenya’s decades-long commitment to local innovation and investment in clean energy.
