Menengai’s Broken Promise: How Kenya’s Geothermal Model Lost the Steam Thematic image of the Olkaria Geothermal Field Kenya’s Menengai geothermal project was sold as a model of modern public-private partnership. The state would carry the difficult and expensive burden of geothermal exploration and drilling. Private power producers would then build, own and operate power plants. Geothermal Development Company would supply the steam; the independent power producers would convert it into electricity; Kenya Power would buy the output. On paper, the arrangement was elegant. In practice, Menengai has exposed a far more uncomfortable reality: Kenya’s public steam-supply model is not delivering the certainty it promised. Menengai Phase I was designed to produce 105 megawatts from three 35 MW plants. GDC’s own project page says the three plants were awarded to Globeleq Menengai Geothermal, Sosian Menengai Geothermal Power and OrPower Twenty Two under a build-own-operate structure. Yet the ...
Iceland's Volcanic Awakening: The Eruption Near Grindavike Iceland, known for its stunning landscapes and geological wonders, is once again making headlines with the eruption of a volcano near the town of Grindavik. This recent volcanic activity marks the third eruption in the area since December, highlighting the dynamic and unpredictable nature of Iceland's volcanic landscape. The Eruption On February 8th, 2024 , a volcano in southwestern Iceland erupted along a three-kilometer fissure northeast of Mount Sýlingarfell. Jets of lava shot into the sky, triggering the evacuation of the popular Blue Lagoon geothermal spa and cutting off heat and hot water to thousands of people in several communities on the Reykjanes Peninsula. Impact on Communities The eruption has had significant consequences for the residents of Grindavik and surrounding areas. The lava flow engulfed a supply pipeline, disrupting the heating systems that many rely on for their homes. Schools, gyms, and swimmin...