By Region,Africa,By Region,Projects - February 13, 2010
Kenya’s GDC to start drilling at Menengai, Nakuru project
written by: lxrichter
Released in the news in Kenya, Geothermal Development Company says will begin drilling steam wells for power generation in Menengai, Nakuru in October.
The state company has acquired the two rigs to be used in the project from China.
The GDC managing director, Silas Simiyu, said the cost of sinking a well would reduce by 46 percent from $6.5 million to $3.5 million as the company would use its own rigs instead of hiring a contractor.
“GDC will develop Menengai and offer steam as a Kenyan resource for power generation to attract a wider participation and eventually lower electricity costs,” he said.
Various investors, including Kenya Electricity Generating Company, will be invited to take part in the venture by procuring well heads.
However, the company will rely on the government for its Sh10 billion (US$124 million) annual budget. It will also have to raise another Sh10 billion annually from other sources.
The company aims to exploit geothermal resources in the country, which will lead to a reduced dependence on imported fuel for generation.
The country mainly depends on hydro electricity from the Seven Forks power stations, which are prone to fluctuations in weather patterns, together with independent power producers who rely on expensive imported fossil fuels.
Kenya’s current peak power demand stands at 1,070 megawatts against an installed capacity of 1,160 megawatts.
The demand is projected to rise by 10 percent per year in the next 20 years, to over 8,000 megawatts.
Menengai has the potential to generate 800 megawatts of power. Detailed exploration work was done in 2004 and five drilling pads, each with a capacity of five to eight steam wells prepared.
The five pads pads, costing a total of Sh120 million (US$1.5 million), were prepared by the government prior to the formation of the GDC.
The company has already commissioned a consultant to undertake Menegai’s environment impact assessment to be submitted to the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA).
“Environmental approval process by NEMA takes up to 90 days, which has been factored in planning with drilling to begin in October this year. By then GDC will have acquired the EAI licence,” said Simiyu.”
Source: Saturday Nation Kenya
This entry was posted on Saturday, February 13th, 2010 at 4:25 pm and is filed under Africa, By Region, Projects. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
Hi am Antony Kiama Njoki and a resident of nakuru am really looking forward to work for you come october when the project will begin
Hi there, thank you for your interest. I am not representing GDC, so you might want to contact the company directly.
Hai, am benson karanja wachira.You called me for an interview as drilling supervisor on march, then you postpone it. Is it still there or it was done? if its there when will i be contacted.
Am very much looking to work with you.
hi,
Am peninah Nakuru Resident and would like to work with your Company cone october When your Company will start working Looking forward to hear from you.
Cograts gdc 4 ua work well done.Being a resident from Wanyororo B we embrace the project.In my own opinion why dont you consinder available skilled manpowe from the area.Am personally a 2nd class honours degree holder in environmental studies.Am really looking 4wad 2work with u&conserve our envt.contacts are 0727069762.Long&sustainable life gdc.
Hi am Kamau Wa Njeri. Congratulations GDC for the step you have made. I look forward to see more from you, impact on production costs, job creation ,change in economy and more. Third year student. Kimathi University. Bcom.
Kudos, GDC for a work well done,its my since hope and wish that power rationing will be reduced so that the economic activity of Kenyans should not stand still.I have a desire to work with GDC.All the best GDC