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Kenya to commence drilling wells for geothermal project
Kenya’ s Geothermal Development Company( GDC) is set to commence with the operation of drilling wells in search of steam power for the Baringo-Silali geothermal power project in Baringo County.
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An example of a geothermal plant.
Launched in February this year, USAID’ s Power Africa Uganda Electricity Supply Accelerator is expected to add 1 000MW and one million new connections by 2020.
George Kinyanjui, GDC general manager in charge of drilling and infrastructure, confirmed the statement and said they have identified Paka, Silale, and Korosi as prospect areas, with each expected to generate more than 100MW.
Kinyanjui further added that the first phase of the geothermal project at Baringo-Silali Block is expected to produce steam that can generate 300MW of electricity, which will be injected into the national grid.
“ GDC is currently developing water systems in the project area, with more than 20 wells already drilled in Korosi, Paka, and Silale. We have also managed to open the road network to the project area and so far, we have completed more than 120km. We’ ve already put in place drilling wells, three in each of the prospect areas.
The agreement states that USEA will help in ensuring that solar energy dealers comply by availing high-quality products and services to their customers. Power Africa will financially support USEA in training its staff, dealers, and the promotion of solar energy solutions to the public.
USEA consists of more than 95 private companies providing solar energy solutions to consumers in rural areas especially. USEA chairman Emmy Kimbowa said that the support deal is a timely boost to the subsector as the government pushes for increased uptake of solar energy solutions for off-grid rural communities. The government wants off-grid consumers to access clean modern energy services in a bid to improve social
Drilling works will commence once the water system is complete,” says Kinyanjui.
GDC has already installed community distribution systems and nine storage tanks; each with a capacity of 4.5 million litres. The eco-project will also see carbon credit valued at over USD28.9-million being produced, with the power generated helping to light up Turkana oilfields.
Kinyanjui pointed out that 15 % of the total revenue generated annually from the project will be channelled to benefit the communities surrounding the resource areas. He added that the power company is planning to pump water from Lake Baringo to Paka, which will open the door for drilling to commence in August. PA
Source: Construction Review Online
USEA signs USD500 000 MoU to boost solar energy
Uganda’ s off-grid solar expansion programme has been granted USD500 000 by the US government-funded initiative Power Africa Uganda Accelerator to boost solar energy access after a memorandum of understanding was signed between Power Africa and Uganda Solar Energy Association( USEA). services, economic growth, and welfare, to achieve its ambitious 2030 middle-income status.
Kimbowa says they have developed a three-year strategic plan from 2018 to 2020, in which the association will focus on recruiting more members to cover every district at the sub-county level. By 2020, Kimbowa is optimistic that 60 % of households in Uganda will have access to solar energy products or services. Launched in February this year, USAID’ s Power Africa Uganda Electricity Supply Accelerator is expected to add 1 000MW and one million new connections by 2020. PA
Source: Construction Review
September 2018 Volume 24 I Number 7 www. plumbingafrica. co. za