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"content": "Ministry of Energy to actually accelerate the production of energy as we were experiencing power blackouts. Mr. Speaker, Sir, just to give an update, Kenya is actually the first country in Africa to develop geothermal power. The country has actually developed the capacity and capability. We have qualified, trained personnel to the tune of about 50 engineers. They have undergone intense training specifically in the leading countries in geothermal technology mainly Iceland, Japan, New Zealand and China. On top of that, in very few years - three to four years - the country has been able to develop the capability. We have 12 rigs in the country, four owned by the Geothermal Development Corporation, two owned by KenGen and the rest of the six owned by a private Chinese company. That equipment is available for leasing. Since our visit last year, geothermal has been able to develop and feed in the national grid 250 megawatts, therefore, improving the output from 1,350 megawatts last year to 1,700 megawatts as of now. In the balance of the year, geothermal energy production is intending to actually connect 400 megawatts to the national grid. The production of geothermal energy is basically concentrated in the Rift Valley. That is the counties mainly in the Rift Valley. The production of geothermal energy is beneficial to the counties because it produces a lot of heated water. The Geothermal Development Corporation is actually in discussion with the Rift Valley Water Services (RVWS) so that they can convert the steam water as a byproduct of geothermal, so that this water could be supplied to Nakuru town and the surrounding areas. Also geothermal as a byproduct--- we can actually use that water for irrigation. It can also be used for purposes of heating green houses and space heating. Mr. Speaker, Sir, Baringo has the opportunity of 3,000 mega watts while Nakuru about 2,000 mega watts. When we visited Menengai we found two wells which were producing steam but it was not well headed. Therefore, during our discussion with the board and the management, we urged them to fast track the well heads so that the energy can be connected to the national grid. I am happy to say that they have done that. They have even done the same to the Olkaria project. Geothermal energy, especially the exploration and development, has had four countries interested to come and do exploration in Kenya, of course, Korea through Hyundai Group, China, France and India. Geothermal energy provides clean water through reverse osmosis systems. We tasked the GDC to discuss with the counties where they are undertaking the exploration and development, so that those counties can also invest in the technology of using that water, so that it can be used for domestic and commercial purposes. Mainly they have engaged Nakuru and Baringo counties. But we also told them as they go further to West Pokot and Turkana, to also urge the counties there to take the opportunities of exploring the same. Mr. Speaker, Sir, geothermal is expected by 2030 to produce 7,000 to 10,000 mega watts. This would be a good product mix for our energy. As you all know, right now we are dependent on hydro-energy and to some extent, diesel to produce the energy. As we wound up our trip, we made a few recommendations. They were:- The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}