KenGen might need to drill more wells to fuel power production
Wellhead geothermal plant by Green Energy Group on location with KenGen in Olkaria, Kenya (source: Green Energy Group)
Alexander Richter
18 Eki 2013
Small losses in yearly steam power will force KenGen to drill more wells.
According to the CEO of KenGen, Mr. Simon Ngure, there is a small loss in steam power annually in Kenya. Even though the loss is small, at around 2% annually, they are suggesting that there will be a need to drill new wells in order to account for this issue.
Mr Ngure has explained to the Public Investment Committee that 12 new wells — both production and re-injection wells — will need to be created per annum.
“We shall need additional steam at Olkaria mainly because of the status of the power stations in that region and the other 14 areas which are still unexplored apart from Menengai,” he said. Ngure said the state firm would be drilling 80 steam wells in Olkaria over the next two years.
Kenya is one of the most promising places worldwide, since they are planning to produce up to 5,000 MW of electricity from geothermal sources, yet, the biggest problem that this industry faces is the heavy initial capital investment needed for projects to start working.
Source: James Anyanzawa via Standard Digital
