Pursuant to the contract for drilling services that was signed by Tulu Moye Geothermal and Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen), reports reaching the Kenyandigest front-desk indicate that KenGen has started the mobilization of its drilling rig for the Tulu Moye Geothermal project in Ethiopia.
Intricacies of the Ksh 5.6 billion contract is that the Africa Top Geothermal producing company signed a deal with TMGO where by the former would drill 12 geothermal wells as well as (sic) install water supply systems and equipment.
As of December 2019, KenGen reported that it would be sending around 48 truck loads to the site. The project is a big win for the company whose objective was expanding its geothermal expertise and services to countries beyond the Kenyan borders.
“Our projects in Ethiopia come at a time when KenGen’s diversification strategy has taken off in earnest. For more than 40 years now, KenGen has drilled more than 300 geothermal wells and invested in experts with considerable experience in geothermal development.”, said Ms Rebecca Miano, CEO cum Managing Director of KenGen.
KenGen has also been contacted by the Ethiopian Electric Power Company for a drilling project.
A Drilling Rig by KenGen
The Tulu Moye geothermal project plan is set to generate 150MW of geothermal electrcity. It is set to be developed in two phases. The green energy project's 1st Phase will generate 50MW whereas the 2nd Phase will generate the remaining 100MW. The first independent project will produce power to the main Ethiopian Rift Valley, Oromia Regional State, Arsi and East Shewa zones. Once complete the power would be sold to the Ethiopian Electric Power Company.
KenGen owns and operates three drilling rigs complete with all the auxiliary equipment: two electric land rigs with capacity to drill up to a depth of 7,000 meters and a national (N370) drilling rig that can drill wells up to 2,200 meters. KenGen employs innovative drilling techniques and tools that minimize cost and duration of drilling wells.
