World Bank to help Kenya harness geothermal resources
0 Comment(s)
Print
E-mail Xinhua, June 7, 2016
The World Bank said Tuesday it will help Kenya to harness its vast geothermal resources in order to reduce the reliance on fossil-based fuel.
World Bank Kenya Program Leader on Sustainable Development Sector, Meskerem Brhane, told Xinhua in Nairobi that the bank will provide financial and technical assistance for Kenya.
"Part of the World Bank's 840 million U.S. dollar energy portfolio in Kenya is targeted at the geothermal sector," Brhane said during the World Bank Group's Open Day event.
Geothermal power is a clean source of energy that is available 24 hours a day, said Brhane.
"Our goal is to help Kenya wean off expensive sources of energy so that the cost of electricity is brought down," she said.
She said geothermal electricity accounts for about 30 percent of Kenya's installed electricity capacity and their aim is to increase the figure to between 40 and 50 percent in the near future.
World Bank is also providing expertise on drilling of geothermal steam wells for Kenya. "Kenya is currently developing local talent on this renewable energy sector," Brhane said.
Brhane said Kenya is a regional leader in geothermal development. "A number of countries such as Ethiopia have also benefited from technical expertise from Kenya."
She lauded Kenya's energy policy that allows private sector participation in geothermal power industry.
Kenya's geothermal potential is close to 10,000 MW but has so far been exploited less than 1,000 MW.
The East African nation's 280 MW Olkaria geothermal power plant is one of the largest of its kind in the world. Endit
Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)