Monday, October 20, 2014

Kenya:

Geothermal Overtakes Hydro Power for First Time (Business Daily Africa)

The share of electricity generated from geothermal sources in Kenya has for the first time surpassed that of hydro power, pointing to lower electricity bills from reduced reliance on costly thermal power.

Data from the Kenyan Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) indicates that geothermal power accounted for 38.85 per cent of the 754.8 million units of electricity bought by homes and businesses in September while hydro power accounted for 36.7 per cent. Thermal power accounted for 22.2 per cent.

The decline follows the injection of 210 MW of geothermal power into the national grid, with 140 MW having been added in late July and 70 MW on September 16.

By the end of this year, KenGen will have added 280 MW in geothermal capacity, helping cut power bills that businesses say make Kenyan industries uncompetitive.

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