The Olkaria V Geothermal Power Station, also known as the Olkaria V Geothermal Power Plant is a power station in Kenya, with an electric capacity of 158 megawatts (212,000 hp).[1]
Olkaria V Geothermal Power Station | |
---|---|
![]() | |
![]() Location of Olkaria 5 Geothermal Power Station | |
Country | Kenya |
Location | Hell's Gate National Park |
Coordinates | 00°53′59″S 36°21′02″E / 0.89972°S 36.35056°E |
Status | Operational |
Construction began | 2017 |
Commission date | 2019 |
Owner(s) | Kengen |
Operator(s) | |
Power generation | |
Units operational | 2 x 79MW |
Nameplate capacity | 158 megawatts (212,000 hp) |
Location
editThe power station is located in the Olkaria area, in Hell's Gate National Park, in Nakuru County, approximately 100 kilometres (62 mi), by road, southeast of the city of Nakuru, where the county headquarters are located.[2] Olkaria V Geothermal Power Station is located approximately 122 kilometres (76 mi), by road, northwest of Nairobi.[3] The geographical coordinates of the power station are:00°54'59.0"S, 36°21'02.0"E (Latitude:-0.906944; Longitude:36.323333).[4]
Overview
editThe Olkaria 5 project generates 140 MW,[5] although other reliable sources have put planned capacity at 158 megawatts (212,000 hp).[6][7] The power station is jointly financed by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen). The budgeted cost is Sh40 billion (US$400 million).[5]
A consortium of two Japanese firms and one Kenyan company, was selected to provide the necessary equipment and build the power plant. Mitsubishi Corporation supplied the main equipment. Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems transported the equipment from the port of Mombasa to the construction site at Olkaria and installed the machinery. H Young & Company (HY), a Kenyan outfit, supplied the remaining parts required to construct the power station. HY was also responsible for civil engineering works and installation of the parts that they provide.[8]
The Olkaria V plant in Great Rift Valley, Kenya was first synchronized to the National Grid on 28 June 2019 and its first unit has reached its full design output of 79 megawatts.[9] A second unit came online in October 2019, bringing Kenya's total geothermal capacity to between 700MW and 850MW.[10]
History
editOlkaria 5 power plant is another in a series of six geothermal stations either planned or already operational in the Olkaria area in Nakuru County.[5][11] Construction began in April 2017.[12] Completion and commercial power production began in 2019.[10][13]
Ownership
editOlkaria V Geothermal Power Station is wholly owned by the Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen).[6]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Renewable Energy World (10 January 2017). "KenGen Plans Olkaria V Geothermal Project". Renewable Energy World. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
- ^ "Distance Between Nakuru, Kenya And Olkaria V Geothermal Power Station, Kenya" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
- ^ "Distance Between Olkaria V Geothermal Power Station And Nairobi" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
- ^ "Location of Olkaria V Geothermal Power Station" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
- ^ a b c Geoffrey Irungu (13 March 2016). "KenGen woos financiers to its mega power investments". Business Daily Africa. Nairobi. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
- ^ a b Xinhua (6 March 2017). "Kenya set to begin construction of 158 MW geothermal power plant". Beijing: Xinhuanet.com. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
- ^ Kiruti Itimu (29 July 2019). "KenGen's Olkaria V Unit 1 Goes Live, Performs Better than Expected". Techweez. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
- ^ Brian Ngugi (1 March 2017). "Mitsubishi Corp led-consortium wins tender to build 140MW Olkaria plant". Business Daily Africa. Nairobi. Retrieved 26 September 2017.
- ^ Reuters (31 July 2019). "KenGen's latest geothermal plant adds 79 MW to grid". Standard Digital. Retrieved 31 July 2019.
{{cite web}}
:|author=
has generic name (help) - ^ a b Dominic Mandela (24 October 2019). "Unit II of Olkaria V geothermal power plant in Kenya fully operational". Nairobi: Construction Review Online. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
- ^ Reuters (27 September 2012). "KenGen invites bids for 560MW geothermal plants". Reuters. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
{{cite web}}
:|author=
has generic name (help) - ^ Muthoni, Nyambura (28 April 2017). "KenGen launches 158MW Olkaria V geothermal power plant". Kenya Free Press. Nairobi. Retrieved 26 September 2017.
- ^ Jean Marie Takouleu (9 December 2019). "Kenya: Unit II of Olkaria V geothermal power plant is operational". Paris, France: Afrik21.africa. Retrieved 12 August 2020.