Members of the Parliamentary Committee on Energy have commended the progress made by GDC at the Menengai Geothermal Project following an inspection tour of the project.
The legislators, led by Committee Chairperson Hon. David Gikaria, praised GDC’s efforts in adding 35 megawatts of clean energy to the national grid, noting that the development is a major boost to Kenya’s economic growth and industrialisation agenda.
“We are happy that finally steam from Menengai is generating power. Many people never believed this administration would actualise the Menengai project and feed power to the grid,” said Hon. Gikaria.
“When you realise that we import close to 200MW from Ethiopia, then the 35MW already on the grid and another 70MW expected by July making the total 105MW from Menengai project alone, then that is massive for Kenya ,” Hon. Gikaria said, noting the strategic value of geothermal energy in strengthening the country’s energy security and industrialisation agenda.
Hon. Gikaria further assured GDC of Parliament’s support in advancing geothermal development and preparing steam fields for private investors.
“We note that GDC, KETRACO and several other energy agencies were removed from the Government funding support under the supplementary budget requests. As a committee, we will do everything possible to ensure these companies receive the necessary support because they are critical to Kenya’s industrialisation agenda,” he said.
“On Monday, we will engage our colleagues in the relevant departmental committees to help us realise this,” he added.
The legislators also challenged GDC to fast-track geothermal direct use projects, noting that geothermal heat can support broader industrialisation beyond electricity generation. They cited opportunities in agriculture, greenhouse farming, crop drying, aquaculture, milk pasteurisation and other manufacturing processes that can lower production costs and spur economic growth in surrounding communities.
Hon. Victor Koech, the MP for Chepalungu, echoed the Chairperson’s sentiments, commending GDC management for the level of development achieved at Menengai.
“On Tuesday, we toured the Suswa geothermal fields and today we have seen a productive Menengai field. This is impressive and we encourage GDC to continue with the same spirit,” said Hon. Koech.
His colleagues Hon. Charles Gimose and Hon. Simon King’ara said the visit had given them a deeper appreciation of GDC’s mandate and pledged support for the company’s efforts to deliver green energy for Kenya.
Ag. MD and CEO Mr. Stephen Busieney who had led the GDC delegation in accompanying the legislators explained GDC’s progress in developing various field, thanking the MP’s for their pledge to support GDC.
“We sincerely register our appreciation for your pledge to support us realise our mandate of derisking the fields and developing this clean resource to power our nations industrialization agenda, ” he quipped.
“We have already completed two well pads in Suswa and are close to finalising the addition of 70MW from the Menengai project to the national grid, in addition to the 24 wells that we have delivered in the Baringo-Silali geothermal project, paving the way for another power plant that will generate another 105MW,” he added.
The legislators had earlier toured the Suswa geothermal fields, where GDC is currently mobilising drilling rigs for exploration activities.
The visit formed part of the Committee’s oversight and fact-finding engagements as Parliament prepares to consider budgetary allocations for the energy sector in line with constitutional requirements and Parliamentary Standing Orders.
