Kenya’s transition to clean energy has reached a major milestone, with the Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) announcing 70 percent completion of its latest geothermal project at the Olkaria complex.
The new Olkaria I expansion project is set to inject an additional 63 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy into the national grid, reinforcing Kenya’s leadership in geothermal energy production across Africa.
The project, located in the Rift Valley’s volcanically active zone, is part of the country’s broader strategy to achieve 100 percent clean energy by 2030.
KenGen revealed that two steam turbines and two generators for Units 2 and 3 have been successfully delivered to the site, after being shipped from Japan and transported through the Port of Mombasa. Equipment for Unit 1 was dispatched in late May and is expected to arrive before the end of June.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Africa Energy Forum in Cape Town, KenGen Managing Director and CEO Eng. Peter Njenga described the delivery as a “critical step” in the company’s mission to provide affordable and reliable green energy. “We are at 70 percent completion and are confident we will commission the first turbine by June 2026,” said Eng. Njenga.
He lauded the dedicated project team of 928 staff, led by General Manager Elizabeth Njenga and Design and Construction Manager Eng. Isaack Maina, for working around the clock to deliver the project ahead of schedule and on budget.
The Olkaria I expansion falls under the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), which prioritizes green infrastructure for industrial growth and job creation. Kenya is already Africa’s top geothermal energy producer, with Olkaria playing a central role.
Once commissioned, the project will push Kenya closer to the 1-gigawatt geothermal production mark, positioning the country among global leaders in clean energy. “Our focus on green projects reflects our commitment to climate-sensitive, sustainable development,” said Eng. Njenga.
