News

Globeleq and GDC break ground on 35-MW Menengai geothermal power project

Globeleq and GDC break ground on 35-MW Menengai geothermal power project Groundbreaking ceremony of Globeleq's 35-MW geothermal power plant in Menengai, Kenya (source: Globeleq via Twitter)
Carlo Cariaga 8 Jun 2023

A groundbreaking ceremony was held to celebrate the start of construction for the 35-MW geothermal power plant of Globeleq in Menengai, Kenya.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held on 8 June 2023 for the 35-MW geothermal power project in Menengai, Kenya. The ceremony was held by Globeleq, one of the three Independent Power Producers (IPPs) that were awarded rights to build and operate geothermal power plants in Menengai.

In attendance at the ceremony were the Deputy President (DP) Rigathi Gachagua, Ministry of Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir, Department of Energy Principal Secretary Alex Wachira, H.E. Hon Susak Khika of Nakuru County, British High Commissioner to Kenya Jane Marriott OBE, and the GDC Board Chair Hon. Walter Osebe Nyambati.

Representatives from the Kenyan and British governments in attendance at the Menengai groundbreaking ceremony (source: GDC via LinkedIn)

The USD 108 million Menengai project will be Globeleq’s first geothermal plant. Menengai is a greenfield geothermal project and part of the first phase of the wider Menengai complex, which is the second large-scale geothermal field being developed in Kenya after Olkaria. Steam will be supplied to the project by Geothermal Development Company (GDC).

Globeleq is a UK-based company supported by British International Investment. In late 2022, Globeleq signed a financing agreement with the African Development Bank (AfDB), the Eastern and Southern African Trade and Development Bank (TDB) and Finnfund for a USD72 million debt funding for the Menengai geothermal project. Development in Menengai is being done via subsidiary Globeleq Geothermal Kenya Limited.

Sosian Energy had previously already constructed another 35-MW geothermal power plant in Menengai. The final preparations are ongoing for its commissioning.

“As one of the countries most affected by climate change, we are determined to attain our target of 100 percent transition to green energy; it is clean, reliable, affordable, and sustainable,” said Rigathi during the ceremony.

“The de-risking concept, underwritten by the Government of Kenya through GDC, is a critical model to accelerate the development of geothermal energy in Kenya and lower the cost of power for investors and households,” said Hon. Davis Chirchir. GDC has conducted drilling of 43 wells in Menengai, thus taking the upfront risks of developing the geothermal project.

“In just 13 years, we have turned Menengai from a jungle into a complex that is promising Kenya’s green future,” commented Hon. Walter Osebe Nyambati.

Source: GDC via Linkedin, The Star, Capital News, TUKO, and Globeleq via Twitter