As Electricity Demand Soars, Kengen Explores More Geothermal Fields

Posted on : Friday , 22nd August 2025

Energy Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir visited a geothermal well in Pakka Hills located in Baringo County, where the Geothermal Development Company (GDC) is working on several electricity initiatives. 

The Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) is actively investigating additional geothermal fields within the nation due to increasing electricity demand.

The company has recognized regions within Suswa, Olkaria, Menengai, and Sirali in Baringo as significant areas with considerable geothermal potential. The decision follows an announcement from the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (Epra) stating that the nation's peak power demand reached an all-time high of 2,362.28 megawatts (MW) on July 23, 2025.

At present, the Olkaria geothermal fields have an estimated capacity of 10,000 MW, with geothermal wells supplying a total of 754 MW to the national grid. 

As stated by Alex Wachira, the Principal Secretary for Energy, the demand for electricity in the country is increasing due to industrial expansion and the electrification of additional households nationwide.

In response to the demand, he mentioned that KenGen and the Geothermal Development Company (GDC) were looking for additional geothermal fields since this energy source has shown to be effective and dependable despite fluctuations in weather. We aim to increase geothermal energy production from Suswa, Sirali, and Menengai, as our goal is to provide more affordable electricity, given that geothermal serves as our base load," he stated.

Following his visit to the Olkaria Power Plant in Naivasha, Wachira stated that the government is actively working with donors to back upcoming energy generation initiatives.

He mentioned that the facility, now being upgraded, will contribute an additional 63MW to the national grid by September of the following year. “The project is approximately 76 percent finished, with a budget of Sh15.6B, and the contractor is on track to adhere to the deadlines we’ve established, as there is an urgent need for power,” he stated.

He mentioned that the government is developing an additional 70MW from Menengai as part of the plan to eliminate thermal power by 2030.

“Once we incorporate more affordable energy, that will reflect in our bills, and crucially, it will also benefit our environment, helping to keep it green,” he stated.

In earlier remarks, KenGen Chief Executive Peter Njenga mentioned that there are plans to add an additional 1,500MW to the national grid over the next decade. “Our commitment is to provide consistent and dependable base load power to illuminate our homes and support Kenya's industrial growth,”

As part of our 10-year G2G strategy, we aim to produce 1,500MW of electricity entirely from renewable sources, which includes geothermal, hydro, wind, and solar energy,” he stated.