News

GDC to start drilling for 300 MW Baringo-Silali geothermal project in Kenya

GDC to start drilling for 300 MW Baringo-Silali geothermal project in Kenya Drilling rig at Menengai, Kenya (source: ARGeo)
Alexander Richter 30 Jul 2018

Geothermal Development Company (GDC) has announced that it will be starting drilling of wells for the geothermal power project at Baringo-Silali in Kenya.

In a release this weekend, Kenya’s Geothermal Development Company (GDC), George Kinyanjui, General Manager for Drilling and Infrastructure reports that the company will be starting to drill for the geothermal project at the Baringo-Silali Block.

GDC plans to develop up to 300 MW of geothermal power generation capacity having identified the prospect areas of Paka, Silale and Korossi with each able to produce more than 100 MW.

“GDC is currently developing water systems in the project area with more than 20 wells already drilled in Korosi, Paka and Silale. We have also managed to open the road network to the project area with more than 120 kilometres completed,” said Kinyanjui.

He said the power company is planning to pump water from Lake Baringo to Paka, which will open the door for drilling to commence next month.

“We’ve already put in place drilling wells, three in each of the prospect areas. Drilling works will commence soon once the water system is complete,” said Kinyanjui.

The company has already installed community distribution systems and nine storage tanks, each with a capacity of 4.5 million litres.

The eco-project will also see carbon credit valued at over Sh2.9 billion being produced with the power generated helping light up Turkana oilfields.

GDC expects to generate more than Sh11.5 billion annually from the project with 15 per cent of the total revenue being channelled to benefit the communities surrounding the resource areas.

Source: Daily Nation