Japan has granted Kenya a loan of Sh9.53 billion to rehabilitate its oldest geothermal power plant for increased generation of electricity.
The financing agreement was signed between the Treasury Secretary Henry Rotich and some Japanese officials for the refurbishment of Olkaria I Units 1, 2 and 3.
The upgrade according to them, will help expand the capacity of the ageing steam-powered plant from 45 megawatts to 50.7 megawatts upon completion in November 2021.
Mr Rotich mentioned that the plant is an overworked project as the life of the original design is 25 years.
He stated that the plant’s maintenance costs had grown even as electricity production dropped.
“The completion of the project will therefore enhance volume and security of electric power supply in Kenya and thereby create a conducive environment for investment,” he added.
Kenya has in recent years switched focus to geothermal energy, which is unaffected by weather unlike hydropower, and is three times cheaper compared to thermal power.
The plant rehabilitation will involve change of steam turbines and installation of new electrical systems.
A turbine, which is the single most expensive equipment in a geothermal plant, converts steam to mechanical energy and passed through generators to produce electricity.
Nairobi will repay the concessional loan at 1 per cent interest rate over a period of 30 years, inclusive of a 10-year grace period.
However, since the project is funded by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), it gives Japanese firms an advantage in the bidding process.
Firms from the Far East nation have emerged as top builders of Kenya’s geothermal power plants and suppliers of heavy duty equipment such as steam turbines, tapping into Nairobi’s shift to green energy.
They include Mitsubishi, Toyota Tsusho and Toshiba.
Toyota Tsusho constructed additional units IV and V at Olkaria I, which is set for upgrade, while Toshiba supplied turbines.
Kenya is currently ranked the ninth largest producer of geothermal electricity in the world and the leader in Africa with a capacity of 630 megawatts, according to Renewables Global Status report 2017.
