Kenya launches 540 megawatt geothermal power plant

Kenya's Kengen Electricity Generating Company is increasing power generation in the country.

To increase the number of wells for steam generation, Kengen also purchased two drilling rigs at a cost of 15 million dollars. There will be 6 in total, capable of drilling to a depth of 7,000 meters. The $48 million dollar project includes the drilling of 164 wells. Speaking during the launch of the geothermal plant in Olkaria, the project manager, Geoffrey Mashemi, said "This is just part of our project and that the company plans to add 280 megawatts of electricity to the national grid by 2013." He added that " utilizing power from the rig as opposed to diesel generators will make production cheaper and also reduce drilling time."

Based on foreign press for ForTrader.org