Kenya's Olkaria Geothermal Power Plant starts commercial operation

Toshiba Corporation has announced the beginning of commercial operation of Kenya's Olkaria Geothermal Power Plant.

The official opening ceremony of Kenya's largest geothermal power complex was held at the site on February 19 in the presence of President Uhuru Kenyatta and other government officials.

Kenya Electricity Generating Company Ltd. awarded a full turnkey contract for Olkaria I and IV to a consortium of Korea's Hyundai Engineering Co. Ltd. and Japan's Toyota Tsusho Corporation in 2011.

Toshiba, selected by Hyundai Engineering to provide key equipment, supplied four 70-megawatt turbines and generators for the plant in 2013.

Olkaria IV started commercial operation in September 2014, followed by Olkaria I in January this year.

Kenya's economic growth is spurring demand for power. The government has responded with a comprehensive blueprint for development, Vision 2030, which currently includes provision for boosting Kenya's electricity generating capacity from 1,664 megawatts (2014) to 17,500 megawatts by 2030.

Construction of the Olkaria complex is a key part of the vision, and it now accounts for approaching 20 per cent of Kenya's total generating capacity.