Kenyan President William Ruto attended the groundbreaking ceremony for a new 35MW geothermal power plant in Nakuru County, located about 200km northwest of Nairobi. The $90 million Orpower 22 project is a collaboration between Kenya and the Shanghai-based Kaishan Group, according to Xinhua news agency. The plant is expected to be completed in 17 months.
Orpower 22 is Kaishan Group’s second geothermal facility in Kenya, following the 35MW Sosian Menengai plant, which began supplying electricity to Kenya’s grid in June 2023.
With ambitions to achieve 100% renewable energy by 2030, Kenya is focusing on its 10GW geothermal potential, aiming to tap into at least 5.5GW. Currently, renewables contribute 88% of Kenya’s 3.3GW installed capacity, accessible to 77% of the population, with geothermal energy providing about 950MW.
President Ruto noted that Kenya has fostered a favorable environment for private investments in energy, and he highlighted that the Orpower 22 plant would make Kenya the world’s fifth-largest geothermal power producer.
