KenGen Risks Losing Olkaria Wells Over 18-Year Licence Blunder Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) faces a serious legal and operational risk at Olkaria after an error in the coordinates of its geothermal licence left part of the company’s wells, steam infrastructure and other assets outside its legally recognised area. The licensing mistake, made nearly two decades ago, remains unresolved despite the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum acknowledging the problem in 2017. The dispute has raised questions about the security of KenGen’s investments, the government’s management of geothermal resources and the potential consequences for Kenya’s electricity supply. Olkaria is the country’s most important geothermal centre and accounts for the overwhelming majority of Kenya’s installed geothermal generation capacity. Licence Error Exposes Strategic Assets The problem dates back to September 19, 2008, when the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum issued KenGen a licence covering ...
Gold Meets Steam: A Game-Changing Geothermal Venture in North Sulawesi
:steam gushes orit of a geothermal well,wells of power
In the heart of North Sulawesi's Bitung area, a groundbreaking partnership has emerged, one that promises to reshape both the energy and mining landscapes. The collaboration between Ormat, a global leader in geothermal technology, and Archi, a prominent gold mining company, is not just another business venture—it’s a bold statement of innovation and ambition.
Established in early 2021, this joint venture is an intriguing fusion of resources and expertise. Archi, well-known for its operations in the gold-rich Toka Tindung area, is now diving into uncharted territory with geothermal energy. Ormat, on the other hand, has taken on the monumental task of managing the A-to-Z operations of this geothermal project. In return, Ormat will command a three-quarters share of the venture’s stakes, leaving Archi with a quarter—a reflection of the immense responsibility Ormat is shouldering.
But why does this partnership matter? The stakes couldn’t be higher. North Sulawesi’s geothermal resources are among Indonesia's most promising, offering the potential to not only generate clean energy but also power the local mining operations sustainably. With three exploratory wells set to be drilled, this project could unlock an energy revolution, one that merges the worlds of gold and geothermal energy in ways never seen before.
Doron Blachar, Ormat’s visionary CEO, described the venture as a “pioneering step” in expanding geothermal applications beyond traditional boundaries. Mr. Ken Crichton, a key figure at Archi, echoed this optimism, emphasizing the transformative potential this partnership holds for both industries.
The stakes? Success in Bitung could make this project a global blueprint for harnessing geothermal energy to sustain and elevate mining operations. Failure, however, would be a costly reminder of the challenges in merging two vastly different industries.
As the drill heads pierce the earth in North Sulawesi, the world watches with bated breath. Will this ambitious venture pave the way for a new era of sustainable energy and mining integration? Or will it succumb to the pressures of untested waters? One thing is certain—the results of this experiment could send ripples across industries worldwide.
For now, the Bitung project stands as a beacon of hope, daring to combine the ancient allure of gold with the futuristic promise of geothermal energy. And as the drills begin their descent, the stakes couldn’t feel more electrifying.
Source:Petromindo ,Ormat
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