Alternative Energy Africa, March 10, 2011

The Geothermal Development Co. (GDC) has called for tenders for eight power plants set to produce 800 MW of electricity in Kenya’s geothermal-rich Rift Valley. GDC plans to drill 200 wells starting in January 2012 on the Bogoria-Silali block. http://www.ae-africa.com/read_article.php?NID=2664

GDC calls for expression of interest for investors for 8x 100MW plants

Think Geoenergy, March 10, 2011

The Geothermal Development Company of Kenya is inviting expressions of interest for the development of 8 geothermal power plants with a capacity of each 100 MW at Bogoria Silali in Northwestern Kenya.

http://thinkgeoenergy.com/archives/7166

Kenya seeks investors for 800 MW geothermal plants

Reuters, March 9, 2011

Kenya's Geothermal Development Company invited applications on Wednesday from investors interested in setting up eight power plants to plants to produce a total 800 MW in the country's Rift Valley.

The state-run firm said in a newspaper advertisement it planned to drill 200 wells from next January on the Bogoria-Silali Block.

http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/kenya-seeks-investors-for-800-mw-geothermal-plants-2011-03-09

Africa: Can nation become africa’s geothermal valley?

allAfrica, March 2, 2011

Kenya is exploiting its rich geothermal potential to harness alternative and reliable energy that could lower the cost of manufacturing and spur economic growth. Dr. Silas Simiyu, the managing director of the state-owned Geothermal Development Company (GDC) tells TradeInvestAfrica why now is the perfect time for interested investors to explore the opportunities in the industry.

http://allafrica.com/stories/201103030458.html

Kenya in fresh efforts to increase electricity supply

The Standard, January 31, 2011

Last week, China Exim Bank availed $90 million to buy five drilling rigs to tap steam reserves. Addressing the media shortly after the signing of the agreement, Dr Silas Simiyu, the chief executive officer of Kenya’s state-run Geothermal Development Company, said the gear will probably be delivered in 2013.

http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/InsidePage.php?id=2000027931&cid=&

Daily Nation, January 27, 2011

Increasing direct involvement, including acquiring more drilling rigs, is part of a strategy the country is employing to cut the costs of exploiting its geothermal power potential. Kenya, through the State-owned Geothermal Development Company (GDC), has already acquired two rigs that are expected to lower the costs by almost half.

Read More >>

Team requests Sh15b for geothermal energy project

The Standard, January 26, 2011

Geothermal Development Corporation is seeking Sh15 billion from the Government to speed up power generation that will lead to reduction in electricity cost.GDC Managing Director Silas Simiyu told 20 MPs from three parliamentary committees the money would be used for geothermal electricity generation in Menengai in Nakuru, Silale and Paka in Baringo East and parts of Lake Turkana.

http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/politics/InsidePage.php?id=2000027535&cid=159

GDC Menengai drilling

Citizen TV, January 25, 2011

Kenya is now ready to fully exploit its geothermal power resources as the country slowly shifts focus to cleaner energy. The Menengai crater is the latest site where the geothermal development company has began drilling wells expected to produce 100 megawatts of power the end of the year. The move is expected to lower power tariffs since the company will be using its own rigs to drill the wells. Denis Otieno visited the site and brings us the following report.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSElpClC3tw

Menengai crater to become active again

The Standard, January 22, 2011

Menengai Crater, an extinct volcano, is about to become active again, only this time it will not be spewing hot lava, but steam for electricity generation. It will be the largest geothermal power-generating project in Nakuru County after the Olkaria in Naivasha.

http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/InsidePage.php?id=2000027249&cid=4

Geothermal firm kickstarts drilling at Menengai site

The Standard, January 10, 2011

Geothermal Development Company (GDC) is set to start drilling for geothermal steam in Menengai, Nakuru this week, paving way for establishment of new power plants. According to well-placed sources within the State-owned company mandated to fast track development of geothermal resources, the process of assembling two rigs recently landed at the site has been finalised in readiness for the drilling exercise.

http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/InsidePage.php?id=2000026334&cid=14

GDC geothermal drilling

Citizen TV, January 4, 2011

The geothermal development company GDC begins drilling geothermal wells in the Menengai crater next week. GDC which has already procured 2 drilling rigs expects to have the first 10 megawatts of power by the end of the first quarter of the year. The crater which holds geothermal energy potential of 1000 megawatts will enable the country meet its power needs by 2018, a move that could drastically reduce electricity tariffs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGAKWfpjYX0

Geothermal holds key to future

Daily Nation, November 30, 2010

If Vision 2030 is to be realised, Kenya will have to invest aggressively in geothermal electricity production. It is estimated that the Menengai fields in Nakuru District alone have the potential to produce more electricity than what the whole country currently consumes. Indeed, Kenya is in the cusp of a boom in geothermal energy.

http://allafrica.com/stories/201011300408.html

The East African

November, 22-28, 2010

The dominance of Chinese firms in exploration of geothermal energy in Kenya is set to end as East Africa’s largest economy rolls out an aggressive programme to acquire its own rigs and to develop expertise.  Kenya has become a leading global hotspot in geothermal exploration as the government continues to invest heavily in clean energy to both reduce its over-reliance on hydroelectricity and diesel powered plants.

http://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/news/Kenya%20on%20the%20cusp%20of%20a%20geothermal%20energy%20boom/-/2558/1057116/-/sj0087z/-/

Geothermal power firm steps up drive for cheaper energy

Business Daily, November 9, 2010

The Geothermal Development Company (GDC) has called for tenders from investors with the capacity to generate up to 400 megawatts of cheaper geothermal electricity in the next four years, giving new impetus to the government’s drive for affordable energy. “The interested investors shall establish that they have the capability to raise at least $400 million for the development of at least 100 megawatts supported by letters from credible financiers,” said the Government in an advert on Friday.

http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/Geothermal%20power%20firm%20steps%20up%20drive%20for%20cheaper%20energy/-/539552/1048664/-/15kvan2z/-/

Kenya invites investors for geothermal power plants

Reuters, November 8, 2010

Kenya's Geothermal Development Company (GDC) has invited prequalification bids from investors for the development of 400 megawatts (MW) of power from underground steam. The state-owned company expects to drill 120 wells in the first phase of the project that will contribute about a quarter of the country's current installed power capacity, as east Africa's biggest economy shifts production to green sources.

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSLDE6A400Y20101105

All set for Kenya geothermal project

Daily Nation, October 24, 2010

Kenya’s high dependency on hydro power and costly diesel-powered generators will ease considerably when the Geothermal Development Company starts the multi-billion shilling geothermal steam power generation project on the Menengai Crater in Nakuru.

http://www.nation.co.ke/business/news/All%20set%20for%20Kenya%20geothermal%20project/-/1006/1039550/-/jriv2y/-/

Shortage of engineers delays geothermal power roll-out

Business Daily, October 19, 2010

Shortage of skilled labour is slowing down efforts to increase the share of cheaper geothermal power to Kenya’s electricity grid. Geothermal Development Company’s (GDC) reckons that they lack adequate geothermal engineers to support their plans, prompting the state owned firm to turn to expensive expatriate staffs that are eating into the firm’s exploration budget.

http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/Corporate%20News/Shortage%20of%20engineers%20delays%20geothermal%20power%20roll%20out/-/539550/1035448/-/povvu6z/-/index.html

Geothermal Development Company facilitates in bringing down production costs

The GDC (Geothermal Development Company), a Kenyan government-owned company, has harnessed steam equal to 80 MW of electrical energy during the last six months. This represents Kenya’s resolve in seeking alternative, reliable energy for bringing down manufacturing costs as well as propelling economic growth. The company’s output has helped the country in increasing its overall geothermal energy production to an overall level of 209 MW capacity.

http://www.azocleantech.com/Details.asp?newsID=11839

Geothermal power to help cut production costs

The East African, August 30- September 5, 2010

The Geothermal Development Company (GDC), a government-owned firm has harnessed steam equivalent to 80MW of electricity in the past six months, signaling Kenya’s resolve to seek alternative reliable energy to bring down the cost of manufacturing and spur economic growth.

http://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/news/Geothermal%20power%20to%20help%20cut%20production%20/-/2558/998754/-/84s4dsz/-/

Geothermal in Homa Bay

Citizen TV, July 7, 2010

The government has begun testing geothermal fields in Nyanza Province as the push to diversify Kenya's power sources intensifies. The geothermal development company is exploring the possibility of drilling wells at Homa hills in Homa bay which are believed to hold the potential to generate up to 3000 megawatts of geothermal power. The company has already discovered traces of hot springs and is in the process of testing the viability of the new geothermal wells.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3Bj7XsS9yI

Geothermal firm targets East Pokot

The Standard, April 7, 2010

The Geothermal Development Company (GDC) will begin exploring possible sources for geothermal power in East Pokot District.

http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/InsidePage.php?id=2000007160&catid=14&a=1

No overalp in roles, says power firm

Daily Nation, April 4, 2010

The lending of Sh23.4 billion to power producer KenGen for the construction of a geothermal power plant does not interfere with the role of the Geothermal Development Company (GDC), the parastatal says.There has been confusion over the roles of the two institutions with some falling just short of accusing KenGen of encroaching on GDC’s mandate.

http://www.nation.co.ke/business/news/No%20overlap%20in%20roles%20says%20power%20firm%20/-/1006/892324/-/jx8i88/-/index.html

Business Daily, March 22, 2010
The reality of cheaper electricity drew closer after the government announced plans to kick-off power generation on low-cost mini geothermal plants following failure by private investors to invest in mega electricity projects. Read more