GDC pilot testing direct use applications of geothermal energy
GDC MD Jared Othieno speaking at the Kenya Geothermal Congress 2022 (source: YouTube screenshot, KBC Business)
Carlo Cariaga
14 Jul 2022
GDC is piloting prototypes for direct use applications of geothermal heat as the company aims to establish industrial parks around the Menengai and Baringo-Silali geothermal projects.
Speaking at the Kenya Geothermal Congress 2022, Geothermal Development Company (GDC) Managing Director Jared Otheino appealed to investors to establish industrial parks in the Menengai and Baringo-Silali geothermal areas, adding also that talks are already ongoing with various companies.
In line with this, GDC is piloting five prototypes for the use of geothermal steam for milk pasteurization, heating of greenhouses, aquaculture ponds, laundromats, and the drying of cereals. According to Othieno, the goal of these pilot tests is to help in the commercialization of geothermal energy for direct use.
Othieno also mentioned that GDC has drilled over 50 wells in Menengai and have 170 MW of steam at the wellheads. Plans of generating 105 MWe from this resource is on course, with one Independent Power Producer (IPP) already constructing a 35-MW power plant. The power plant of Sosian Menengai is expected to start commissioning by the 1st quarter of 2023.
Source: KBC Business YouTube channel
