800MW+ clean baseload power, energy independence, reduced fossil fuel imports, global geothermal leadership
Olkaria Geothermal Power Stations
Kenya's flagship geothermal complex at Olkaria in Nakuru County, with over 800MW capacity across multiple units.
AnnouncedJanuary 1, 1981
StartedJune 1, 1981
Financials
Offering PriceKsh 200,000,000,000KES
Timeline
Olkaria I Commissioned
First Olkaria geothermal plant commissioned with 15MW capacity
Olkaria IV Commissioned
Olkaria IV (140MW) commissioned, significantly boosting geothermal capacity
Olkaria V Commissioned
Olkaria V (172MW) commissioned, funded by JICA loans
Contractors
KenGen (Kenya Electricity Generating Company)
Owner/OperatorState-owned power company operating most Olkaria plants
Mitsubishi / Fuji Electric
Turbine Supplier (Various Units)Supplied turbines for multiple Olkaria units
OrPower4 Inc.
Private Operator (Olkaria III)Private company operating Olkaria III under a power purchase agreement
Politicians Involved
Daniel arap Moi
President of KenyaOversaw early Olkaria development in the 1980s-1990s
Uhuru Kenyatta
President of KenyaLaunched Olkaria IV and V expansion
Charles Keter
Cabinet Secretary for EnergyOversaw geothermal expansion program
Benefits
Description
The Olkaria Geothermal Complex in Naivasha, Nakuru County, is the largest geothermal power generation facility in Africa. Operated by KenGen, it comprises multiple power stations (Olkaria I, IA, II, III, IV, V, and VI) developed over several decades. The complex harnesses the Rift Valley's volcanic geothermal resources to generate over 800MW of baseload power. Olkaria III is operated by private sector (OrPower4). The Olkaria V plant (172MW) was financed by JICA and completed in 2019, making Kenya the world's 8th largest geothermal producer.
Overview
Makes Kenya Africa's leading geothermal energy producer and the world's 8th largest, providing reliable baseload power that has been key to Kenya's 90%+ electricity access rate.