PROCEEDINGS, Thirty-Eighth Workshop on Geothermal Reservoir Engineering Stanford University, Stanford, California, February 11-13, 2013 SGP-TR-198 REASONS FOR AND IMPACT OF HAVING MAJORLY GEOTHERMAL POWERED ECONOMY: A CRITIQUE OF KENYAN POWER SYSTEM Author: 1Joel SUTTER Co-Author: 1Dancun GITHUI Reviewer: 1Johnstone MALECHE Geothermal Development Kenya, Kenyatta Avenue, Nakuru, Kenya. P O BOX 17700-20100 Nakuru, Kenya E-mail:
[email protected],
[email protected] power: it is not affected by drought and climatic Key words variability; has the highest availability at over 95 %; Geothermal, megawatts, drilling, generated Reserves, is green energy with no adverse effects on the installed capacity, economy, investors green energy, environment; indigenous and readily available in least cost power, geothermal power plant, emergency Kenya unlike thermal energy that relies on imported power, Tariffs, power system, stability fuel. This makes geothermal the most suitable source for base load electricity generation in the country. ABSTRACT The current installed capacity in the country is 198 MW. An additional 280 MW, scheduled for Kenya utilizes various sources to generate electricity commissioning in 2013, is also under development in ranging from hydro, geothermal, thermal and wind. the same Block. Drilling is ongoing in the Menengai Hydro power stations are the leading source, with the Field for Phase I of 400 MW whilst initial project highest installed capacity. This is from 14 hydro development activities have commenced for the power stations located around the country. The development of 800 MW in the Bogoria – Silali current electricity demand is 1,191 MW while the Block along the Kenyan rift valley.