OrPower 22 geothermal power plant in Menengai, Kenya to start operations by March 2026
The OrPower 22 geothermal power station, the second power plant in the Menengai field in Kenya, is expected to start electricity supply by March 2026.
The 35-MW geothermal power plant under development by OrPower 22 in the Menengai field in Kenya is expected to start supplying electricity to the grid by March this year. According to an update by Energy Principal Secretary Alex Wachira, the power plant has already been completed and testing will begin by next month.
OrPower 22, which was acquired by Chinese company Kaishan Group in 2023, is one of three Independent Power Producers (IPPs) which have been awarded contracts to build and operate geothermal power plants in the Menengai field. Italy-based geothermal engineering consultancy Steam S.r.l. is also supporting the OrPower 22 project as Owner’s Engineer, working with Kaishan Group on EPC oversight and project execution.
The first power plant, by Sosian Energy, started operations back in 2023. A third power plant, under Globeleq, is expected to finish construction by June 2026. Each power plant is designed for 35 MW capacity, with a total of 105 MW of initial developmen target for Menengai.
With the imminent start of operations of the OrPower 22 geothermal power plant, 2026 is shaping up to be a promising year for the geothermal power sector of Kenya. When the plant goes online, it will bring the total installed geothermal power capacity of Kenya beyond the 1 GW threshold. Additional capacity is also expected from the ongoing upgrade work at the Olkaria I geothermal power station which will increase its capacity from 45 MW to 63 MW, with a completion target by June 2026.
Source: Business Daily Africa
