Discharge of Well 8A in Paka Hills, Baringo-Silali, Kenya (source; video screenshort, GDC via Twitter)The horizontal discharge of Paka Well 8A was attended by Kenya’s Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir and State Department for Energy Principal Secretary Alex Wachira. According to Chirchir, the government intends to announced a tender to invite investors to further develop the resource and generate electricity.
“The Geothermal Development Company will soon advertise to invite investors to express interest in taking up geothermal steam at the Paka Geothermal Project,” said Chirchir.
Ceremonial opening of valve for horizontal discharge of Paka Well 8A (source: video screenshot, GDC via Twitter)
Paka Well 8A has been described by GDC as the “largest” geothermal well at Paka Hills. The production drilling phase at Paka started in early 2022, following a successful exploration drilling campaign that was concluded in 2021. Paka is one of three prospects in the Baringo-Silali Geothermal Project, with the other two being Korosi and Silali. The Baringo-Silali project has been sponsored by the Government of Kenya and KfW.
GDC Managing Director Paul Ngugi said that this development is a major step towards achieving energy security in Kenya and attaining financial stability for GDC. “The 22-MW geothermal well in Silali marks one of the major milestones for GDC and we shall continue exploring more geothermal power plants across the country,” remarked Ngugi.
Ngugi also noted that GDC is already selling steam to Sosian Power who is operating a 35-MW geothermal power plant in Menengai.
The Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (KETRACO) has already started with plans to establish a 197-kilometer transmission line to link the future Paka Hills power plant to Western Kenya. This is expected to be completed by 2026.
