RESEARCH ABSTRACT

Geothermal Project Ecological Costs Tempering; A case of Paka Geothermal Project

Calisstus Ndongoli
Geothermal Development Company

Abstract

This exploratory research paper focuses on comparative project development cost reduction model tailored to the geothermal field with unique geological and topographical predisposition, as well as focusing on the ecological settings of the area. The project area is on altitude 1680 masl, 50 km north of lake Baringo. The volcano is averagely 700m above the rift floor, Paka caldera is circular in shape and is approximately 800m radius. Paka geothermal field presents a good candidate for singular drill-pad that can host multiple wells designed optimally to extract steam around the volcano. This approach is feasible when employing directional drilling technology in tapping steam at the deeper zones of the volcano on a surface displacement of ± 800 m on any prioritized geographical direction, 3000m depth with cumulative inclination angle of between 150 – 300, which then can fully exploit up to about 80% of the steam. In order to enjoy the full benefits of ensuring ecological cost reduction and direct project cost management, this directly has a ripple effect to social environmental safeguards, and eventual lowering cost to the energy consumer. The main focus is to develop Site-dependent model that takes account of primary factors such as (Surface topography, size of the resource deposition, and well-designed power plant infrastructure). This will inform the upfront design to be adopted for drilling program, managing social cultural and environmental aspects cost effectively. The IFC performance standards 1 and 5 reqiures that minimum disturbance of local community is meted and or appropriate compensation paid to affected involuntary displaced community to reduce negative effects resulting from resettlement plan for the project. The research therefore focuses on integrating direct costs together and eliminate them at different stage of the project to guarantee reduction in overall projects through an alternative model of implementing Paka geothermal field.

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