ELECTRICITY generating firm KenGen says it has finished drilling a well to support its 280mw power plant adding that it intends to step up output as its power is cheaper than that from independent producers. KenGen Managing Director Eddy Njoroge said the firm will use portable well head generators to enable it to start generating electricity immediately a well is complete as the more permanent power station is being constructed. "We have already steam able to generate 360MW," added Njoroge on Monday during a site visit by the parliamentary committee on energy.

KenGen said its working to have an output of 585MW by 2018, a project that will require drilling of at least 168 geothermal wells. KenGen has recently acquired 2 modern electric rigs to fast track its drilling program. This brings to 7 the total fleet of rigs currently generating in Olkaria. Geotherman power is expected to ease supply disruptions to consumers as weather patterns incvreasignly become unpredictable, affecting the hydro generation of power in times of drought.

Kenya is expected to source half of its power from geothermal by 2018 by which the targeted output has been set at 1260MW. The tour by the energy committee was to verify the installation and efficiency of the recently installed well head generators at Olkaria which was subject of a recent media report that alleged corruption in the tendering and procurement process.