Kenyan plant to be enhanced

Japan-based energy and power generation company Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation (Toshiba ESS) announced last month that it had received an order from SEPCOIII Electric Power Construction Company for steam turbines and generators for the geothermal power plant equipment renovation of units one through three at the old 45 MW Olkaria I geothermal power plant in Kenya.

Toshiba ESS, in last month’s press release, noted that the equipment is set to be shipped to site by December 2025.

“I’m pleased that we can contribute to energy stability in Kenya by providing our equipment and services. Toshiba ESS will continue to provide optimal products and solutions to meet customer needs through its lineup of small to large geothermal steam turbines and generators with power outputs ranging from 1 MW to 200 MW,” said Toshiba ESS director and power systems division VP Shinya Fujitsuka.

Further, Fujitsuka added that Toshiba ESS will continue to provide geothermal power plant services in Japan and the world over, contributing to the realisation of a carbon neutral and sustainable society that operates on clean energy.

Units one through three of the plant need renovation owing to their advanced age, and Toshiba ESS’s steam turbines and generators have been selected for the renovation.

The renovation will increase the power output of units one through three from the current output of 15 MW to 21 MW each, enabling them to achieve better output with less steam. These points were evaluated by KenGen and led to the adoption of the contract.

Kenya’s economic growth is spurring demand for power. The government has responded with a comprehensive blueprint for development, Vision 2030, which currently includes provision for boosting Kenya’s electricity generating capacity from renewable sources and seeking to transition to 100% green energy by 2030. Many new geothermal power plants are planned to tap into the 9 GW geothermal potential in Kenya’s Great Rift Valley region.

Toshiba ESS and KenGen concluded a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to anticipate partnership on operation and maintenance (O&M) services through a combination of KenGen and Toshiba ESS’s know-how and networks in 2022. They aim to provide O&M services for geothermal power plants for developing countries, including East African countries outside Kenya.

Toshiba ESS has several successful delivery records providing geothermal power generation systems in Kenya and other East African countries. Additionally, Toshiba ESS has contributed to the promotion of geothermal power generation by signing MoUs on geothermal power plant business with several partners in other East African nations.

The Olkaria I geothermal power plant is the oldest geothermal power plant in Kenya and has been in commercial operation by KenGen since 1981.