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Kenya Continues to Search for Geothermal Resources Adapted from Information by Business Daily Africa and The National Environment Management Authority The government of Kenya is active- ly searching for geothermal resources outside their traditional Menengai and Olkaria zones. Geothermal Development Company (GDC) announced they received funding to perform exploration drilling in seven new potential geothermal fields. The com- pany received $300 million from U.S. Ex- Im Bank and $100 million from KfW, a German development bank, for the proj- ect. The seven fields of interest to GDC are Bogoria, Azuri, Baringo, Korosi, Silali, Lipaka, and Chepchuk. Drilling is sched- uled to begin inApril, bringing the number of geothermal wells drilled and planned in the country to 20. So far, 8 wells have been drilled at the Menengai location, 5 of which are generating 40 MWs (megawatts) of power, thanks to $600 million worth of loans and grants from the African Development Bank and the French Development Agency. The wells were underwritten by the World Bank. The new loans, with a grace period of 10 years and a tenure of 40 years, will translate into lower initial invest- ments for geothermal power plants. The government hopes this will also lead to being able to provide affordable industrial and household power in Kenya. GDC isn’t the only company search- ing for new geothermal resources in Kenya. According to Silas Simiyu, GDC managing director, Marine Power Generation Company Ltd., a private investor, is also planning to start drilling near Akiira Ranch, Mlima Panya, and Mount Margaret in the Mount Suswa area. Another company interested in ex- ploring the area’s geothermal potential is Africa Geothermal International, Ltd. They are licensed to exploit the Longonot, Mount Suswa, and Akiira Ranch sites. Exploration of the Suswa fields are WorldWide Drilling Resource ® is proud to work in cooperation with to bring you more information about the benefits of geothermal drilling. 41 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® JULY 2013 being funded by export-import banks from India. Under the contract, investors must begin exploration within two years after award, drill three wells in three years, and put up a power generating plant within five years. Additionally, new fields will be de- veloped on public private partnerships. Three fields: Olkaria, Olkaria West, and Longonot, were licensed prior to setting up GDC in January 2009 - so they will continue to explore, drill, and build power plants uninterrupted. Some experts believe Kenya has enough geothermal potential to generate 7000 MWs. The government has set a target for generating at least 5000 MWs from geothermal resources by 2030.