The up front costs of locating and drilling to geothermal power reservoirs are major barriers to the development of this form of renewable energy. Whereas partial risk guarantees against drilling non-productive wells have been a common feature of recent GEF projects (e.g. IFC, IDB, and WB), the project proposed here aims at reducing this risk through technical assistance. The project will transfer and adapt Joint Geophysical Imaging (JGI) methods for assessing geothermal reservoirs to Kenya with potential impacts for the African Rift Valley. The resulting higher resolution and more accurate assessments will increase the probability of finding large, productive steam reservoirs in highly permeable formations. A strategic opportunity exists for geothermal energy expansion in the African Rift through combined technical and financial barrier removal. The project will locate a new drilling target area at Longonot and deep exploratory drilling, co-finaced by the Kenyan Government, will test its resources. Several other potential reservoirs exist in the region for further expansion of this clean energy source. The project would result in a sustainable capacity for later exploration and targeting of these reservoirs. In parallel, efforts to expand the effort through a regional Geothermal Resource Centre and development fund are being pursued.

Project Details

GEF Project ID
1780
Country
Kenya
Implementing Agencies
United Nations Environment Programme
Approval FY
2002
Status
Completed
Region
Africa
Executing Agencies
Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) as Executing Agent for Geothermal Exploration and Development for the Ministry of Energy
GEF Period
GEF - 3
Project Type
Medium-size Project
Focal Areas
Funding Source
GEF Trust Fund

Financials

USD
Co-financing Total
1,754,264
GEF Project Grant
979,059
GEF Agency Fees
0

Timeline

Received by GEF
29 Jul 2002
Concept Approved
02 Dec 2002
Project Approved for Implementation
01 Dec 2002
Project Closed
15 Mar 2010