Olkaria II is a 105 MW geothermal power plant located in Kenya, operated by the Kenya Electric Generating Company. It was commissioned in 1982 and contributes to the country's renewable energy portfolio. Ranked as the 5th largest geothermal plant in Kenya, Olkaria II represents 14.81% of the total geothermal capacity of 709 MW. Kenya has 5 geothermal plants, and the largest, Olkaria I, has a capacity of 185 MW, making Olkaria II approximately 57% the size of Olkaria I. Geothermal energy is an important component of Kenya's energy mix, providing about 30% of the country's electricity. The East African Rift Valley's geothermal resources are harnessed to generate power. Olkaria II is located in the Nakuru County region, approximately 120 km northwest of Nairobi.
44 years old
Kenya, Africa
- Primary Fuel Type
- Geothermal
- Energy Source
- Renewable
- Country
Kenya- Continent
- Africa
- Data Source
- Global Power Plant Database
Geothermal power generation harnesses the Earth's internal heat to produce electricity. This renewable energy source exploits the thermal energy stored beneath the Earth's crust, which can be accessed through geothermal power plants. These plants typically utilize steam or hot water from geothermal reservoirs to drive turbines that generate electricity. The process begins by drilling wells into geothermal reservoirs, often located in tectonically active regions, where the temperature gradient is favorable for energy extraction. The steam or hot water extracted is then channeled to turbines, converting thermal energy into mechanical energy, which is subsequently transformed into electrical energy by generators.
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