The Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) has secured a US$ 5.8 million contract to drill 12 geothermal wells in Ethiopia, including installation of a water supply system and equipment.
The contract with Ethiopia’s independent power producer Tulu Moye Geothermal Operations (TMGO) PL will see KenGen supply drilling materials and also provide operation and maintenance services for both the drilling equipment and the water supply system.
The drilling of these 12 wells is the second and the company’s largest consultancy outside Kenya.
Early this year, KenGen won a contract to drill geothermal wells for the Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) in Aluto, Ethiopia. The contract included the implementation of drilling rigs and accessories as well as rig operation and maintenance for drilling geothermal wells, financed by the World Bank through a loan to the Ethiopian Government to the tune of US$ 76 million.
RELATED: Kenya Electricity firm (KenGen) wins geothermal tender in Ethiopia
Speaking on the new deal with Tulu Moye, KenGen Managing and CEO, Mrs Rebecca Miano said: “This project entailed intense negotiations and planning. We are excited our efforts bore fruit. Being fully aware of the task ahead of us, we have rolled our sleeves and are now all set and ready.”
KenGen, which has embarked on a diversification strategy, leverages its expertise in geothermal energy by offering commercial drilling services, geothermal consulting and other related services across Africa. The organization is also exploring expansion opportunities and will in the near future extend to oil and mining sectors in the region.
KenGen has invested in experts with considerable experience in geothermal exploration and drilling and will build the capacities of teams from Ethiopia who will be working on the project. The company also has a Geothermal Centre of Excellence which conducts training programs for both local and international students.
READ: Kenya offers geothermal exploration training to African experts
Kenya is Africa’s number one geothermal energy producer and among top 10 in the world. The country has an estimated potential of 10,000MW along the Rift Valley.
KenGen has a geothermal installed capacity of 698MW and is the leading geothermal power producer in Africa.
_____________________________________________________________________
KenGen is the leading electricity generation company in Eastern Africa with a market share of about 70 per cent. The company’s primary business is to provide affordable and dependable electric energy for the country in an environmentally friendly and sustainable manner while creating value for its stakeholders.
TMGO is an IPPowned by two equity partners namely Meridiam-the majority shareholder with 51% and Reykjavik Geothermal which owns 49%.