Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) has been identified as one of the likely winners for the rights to undertake drilling operations for the multi-billion dollar Corbetti Geothermal project in Ethiopia. If the Kenya-based firm acquires the rights for the project it would be the third project it runs in Ethiopia in under two years.
In February of 2019, KenGen acquired part of the contract for the construction of a 69 million USD geothermal power plant for the Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation. Similarly, the firm was awarded a tender worth 47 million USD for the Tulu Moye Geothermal project in the Eastern region of the country.
According to a press release from Corbetti Geothermal, seven companies including KenGe are part of the final shortlist for the rights. The other companies in contention are Great Wall (China), Grey Wolf (USA), Iceland (Iceland), Marriott (UK), Schlumberger (USA), and a consortium of Baker Hughes-Tsavo Oilfield Services (Kenya) and Parker Drilling (USA).
The selected firm will be responsible for drilling three exploration geothermal wells and at least 26 production wells. The project is expected to generate 150 MW per annum and be rolled out in two phases.
Currently KenGen is considered the top contender for the project. The firm is responsible for Africa’s first geothermal power plant, Olkaria I, and has close to forty years of experience in steam power and other related energy services.