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  • 21 Aug, 2019

  • By, Wikipedia

Olkaria VI Geothermal Power Station

The Olkaria VI Geothermal Power Station, also known as the Olkaria VI Geothermal Power Plant, is a power station under construction in Kenya, with an electric capacity of 140 megawatts. The plant will be developed under a public private partnership (PPP) model, where the state-owned Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) will co-own the power station with a strategic partner.

Location

The power station would be located in the Olkaria area, in Hell's Gate National Park, in Nakuru County, approximately 120 kilometres (75 mi), by road, northwest of the city of Nairobi, the capital of Kenya. Olkaria VI would sit adjacent to Olkaria II Geothermal Power Station.

Overview

The Olkaria VI power station is designed to generate 140 MW, to be sold directly to Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KenyaPower), for integration into the Kenyan grid. About 3.75 kilometres (2 mi) from the site of Olkaria VI, lies a 220kV substation, where the output from this power station will be directed for evacuation.

KenGen has drilled and tested steam holes and prepared the site where the power station will be built. When a strategic partner is identified and selected, an ad hoc special purpose vehicle (SPV) company will be formed, with KenGen owning 25 percent of the SPV.

Developers

In May 2020, KenGen concluded the first bidding round for the selection of the strategic partner. Four companies and one consortium were selected to proceed to the second round of bidding. The five entities are listed in the table below.

Winners of First Round of Bidding to Develop Olkaria VI Geothermal Power Station
Rank IPP/Developer Domicile Notes
1 Ormat Technologies United States
2 Itochu Corporation Japan
3 Sumitomo Corporation Japan
4 Enel Green Power Italy
5 Engie/Toyota Consortium* United Kingdom/Japan

Operations

The plan calls for the strategic partner to own, finance, build, operate and maintain the power station for the duration of the PPP contract. At the end of that contract, ownership would revert to KenGen. During the contract period, KenGen would be responsible for supplying the steam required to run the power station.

See also

References

  1. ^ Business Daily Africa (12 July 2015). "KenGen kicks off search for Olkaria geothermal power plant partner". Business Daily Africa. Nairobi, Kenya. Retrieved 28 February 2022. {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  2. ^ Africa Energy (19 November 2019). "Kenya: Prequalification under way for Olkaria VI". Africa-Energy.com. Hastings, United Kingdom. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
  3. ^ Jean Marie Takouleu (22 May 2020). "Kenya: Five bidders selected for Olkaria VI geothermal power plant". Afrik21.africa. Paris, France. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
  4. ^ East African Modern Builder (14 July 2021). "Plans In Top Gear To Set Up KenGen's Olkaria VI 140MW". East African Modern Builder. Nairobi, Kenya. Retrieved 28 February 2022.