Technology Background

Sources of energy in the world are derived from either the direct effects of the sun’s activities or from the activities of the earth. Be it wind, solar photovoltaic, nuclear, hydro or fossil fuel energy, there is a direct involvement of the sun or the earth. Geothermal energy falls under the category of energy sources that are derived from the earth. As evidenced by the name, geothermal energy is the type of energy obtained from the heat that is found beneath the earth. This energy can be tapped from the earth in form of hot water or steam, at varying temperatures. Geothermal energy can only be harnessed from geothermal resources. These resources are reservoirs of hot water and steam, situated at varying depths below the earth surface. Geothermal energy can be used for generation of electricity, for district heating applications in cold countries and for thermal duty applications in industries. The geothermal sources are classified under green energy. When one megawatt hour of geothermal power is used to replace one megawatt hour of coal-fired power plant, there is an offset of approximately one ton of carbon dioxide gas emissions.

Status of the technology in Kenya

In Kenya, it is estimated that there is about 7000 to 10 000 megawatts (thermal) untapped geothermal energy beneath the Rift Valley region. This energy is thought to be located in fourteen prospective sites. These prospects have been divided, for administrative purposes, into north, south and central rift geothermal fields. The exploration of geothermal energy in Kenya began in 1957 by the Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC). This was taken up by Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen). Currently, the Geothermal Development Company (GDC) carries out the exploration of geothermal sources.