Kenya Electricity Generating Company has received key equipment for its newest geothermal power plant at the Olkaria geothermal complex, boosting the country’s drive towards a clean energy future.
The NSE listed firm on Wednesday announced the onsite delivery of two steam turbines and two generators destined for Units 2 and 3 of the planned Olkaria I project, shipped from Japan earlier this year.
Olkaria I project, located in the geologically active Rift Valley, is expected to add 63MW of renewable energy to the national grid once completed, further cementing Kenya’s reputation as a global leader in geothermal energy production. The project is currently 70 per cent complete.
The energy generator said the final set of turbine and generator units, assigned to Unit 1, was dispatched in late May and already in transit. KenGen expects the equipment to dock at Mombasa and to arrive at the Olkaria site by the end of the month.
Other major plant components have already been delivered and several have been installed as work on the facility moves into its final stages.
Speaking at the sidelines of the Africa Energy Forum in Cape Town, South Africa, KenGen managing director and CEO, Peter Njenga, said the timely arrival and installation of the critical components mark an important step in KenGen’s mission to deliver affordable, reliable and green energy to the country.
General manager business development and strategy, Elizabeth Njenga and design and construction manager, Isaack Maina, are leading a team of 928 people including elite project engineers, technicians, foremen, artisans and general workers, to deliver the project ahead of time and on budget, according to management.
“We are now at 70 per cent on the key project milestones and are confident to commission the first turbine by June 2026. This project is a major boost to our solid reputation built over the years in provision of renewable energy solutions and demonstrates the significant role geothermal power continues to play in securing Africa’s energy future,” Njenga said.
When commissioned, the Olkaria I expansion is expected to improve electricity reliability getting Kenya closer to its 100 per cent clean energy target by 2030, as the East African nation works to phase out use of fossil fuels for energy generation.
“We are conscious about our carbon footprint and that is why we are deliberate about our focus on green energy projects which are not only climate-sensitive but are also sustainable thereby preserving our planet for future generations while supporting economic development,” said Njenga.
The Olkaria I project falls under the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), which emphasises the role of infrastructure and green energy in job creation and industrial development.
Kenya is already Africa’s largest producer of geothermal energy, with much of its power derived from the volcanic Rift Valley.
Olkaria has been central to these efforts, with several power stations contributing to the country’s energy mix.
The addition of the 63MW will bring the installed capacity of Olkaria I to new heights and continue over seven decades legacy of homegrown innovation and investment in clean energy. This will bring Kenya close to joining the elite 1GW club of largest geothermal producers.
