Olsuswa Energy and local community sign MOU on geothermal exploration in Turkana, Kenya
Signing of MOU between Olsuswa Energy and local leaders (source: Josephat Nanok)
Alexander Richter
11 Apr 2018
Geothermal developer Olsuswa Energy has signed an MOU with the local community on exploration for a geothermal project at the Barrier Volcano Complex in Turkana County, Kenya.
Reported today locally, representatives of Turkana County in Kenya and developer Olsuswa Energy signed an MOU that kicks off process of exploration and development of Barrier Volcanic Complex Geothermal in Katilia, Turkana East sub county.
This is one of the geothermal prospects within the Kenyan Rift and is situated south of the iconic Lake Turkana, the worlds largest desert lake, popularly known as the Jade Sea. The Barrier Volcanic Complex separates Lake Turkana from the spectacular Suguta Valley. This volcanic complex forms a whale back ridge that is 20km long and 15km wide, and consists of 4 distinct shield volcanoes: Kaloleyang, Kakorinya, Likaiu East, Likaiu West.
Reconnaissance surveys by the British Geological Survey (BGS) team indicated an occurrence of strong surface manifestations, signifying a hydrothermal system. Further surface studies conducted in 2011 revealed a high-temperature resource area covering 60 sq.kmwith subsurface temperatures of around 281degrees Celsius and an estimated potential of 750MWe.
Olsuswa Energy plans to tap into this geothermal resource for the production of clean, affordable electricity that will be fed to the national grid via the 400kV Loyangalani-Suswa transmission line.
Source: Olsuswa Energy, Governor Josphat Nanok
