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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