Geothermal plant. Source: KenGen (www.kengen.co.ke). August 31 (Renewables Now) – Japanese trading firm Marubeni Corp (TYO:8002) has secured a full turnkey contract for the construction of a 70-MW geothermal power plant in Kenya, it announced on Friday.
The engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) deal was awarded by state-owned power producer Kenya Electricity Generating Co Ltd, known as KenGen. The plant, itself, will be located in Nakuru County and will be the sixth power unit of the Olkaria 1 geothermal complex. It is expected to be put on stream in 2021.
According to the statement, the major equipment for the project, including steam turbines and generators, will be supplied by Fuji Electric Co Ltd Japan. Project debt financing will be provided by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the European Investment Bank (EIB).
Marubeni noted that the geothermal project will be its first one in Africa. The Japanese firm, which is also involved in the wind, solar, hydropower and biomass sectors, has so far installed more than 900 MW of geothermal power capacity. Its goal is to lift the net renewable energy generation capacity in its portfolio to 20%, it said.