ThinkGeoEnergy – Geothermal Energy News

Drilling contract signed with KenGen for Tulu Moye geothermal project in Ethiopia

A drilling contract has been signed with Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) following the award to the company for the Tulu Moye geothermal project by Tulu Moye Geothermal in Ethiopia.

Drilling works for phase 1 of Tulu Moye project has been awarded to Kenya Electricity Generating Company Limited (Kengen), leading power producer in East African Region, and highly experienced drilling contractor responsible of over 80 geothermal well drilling (over 2000m deep) in the last 10 years alone. The drilling contract signing took place at Hilton Hotel, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Wednesday 23rd October 2019.

CEO of KenGen – Mrs. Rebecca Miano and CEO of TMGO – Mr. Darrell Boyd signed this drilling contract. As top geothermal energy providers in Africa, KenGen has been an inspiration to the region. TMGO is thrilled to become development partners with such a powerhouse; this agreement is a sign of mutual trust and commitment to advancing geothermal energy, which in turn encourages sustainable development in Ethiopia and Africa as a whole.

As one of the first independent power projects in Ethiopia, TMGO will design, finance, build, operate and maintain geothermal powerplant including drilling of geothermal wells. The project with an estimated capacity to generate 150MW will be developed in 2 phases (Phase 1- 50 MW, Phase 2-100MW) to produce electric power in the Main Ethiopian Rift Valley, Oromia Regional State, Arsi & East Shewa zones, and sell the power to the Ethiopian Electric Power.

KenGen using their expertise have agreed to takeover the drilling for phase 1. Since inception, the company has made considerable inroads in Kenya’s energy sector, growing over the years to the current sales market share of about 80% of the electricity consumed by Kenyans. At the Geothermal area along the Rift Valley, the company has power plants and wellheads running as baseload energy sources in Olkaria and Eburru. The area has installed capacity of 533.9 MW – with an additional 165MW due for commissioning this year. KenGen takes pride in being the largest geothermal producer in Africa and the 9th globally; and is also the first Kenyan company to earn Carbon Asset Fund under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM).

This contractual agreement is proof that African nations can work together in technology transfer, capacity building and skills development to support the continent in growing its geothermal sector.

Source: company release by email

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