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 ...
Szczecin Bets on Geothermal Energy: Tender Announced for First Exploration Well
By: Robert Buluma
On September 23, 2025, the city of Szczecin officially launched a tender for the construction of its first geothermal exploration well at DÄ
bska Street. This marks a major milestone in the city’s energy transition, as Szczecin looks to tap into the natural heat beneath its soil as a modern and sustainable energy source.
Backed by National Environmental Funding
The investment is valued at 12.9 million PLN, with most of the financing secured from the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management(NFOĆiGW). The project is part of the national program “Making Thermal Waters Available in Poland”, which supports municipalities in exploring and utilizing geothermal energy for heating and power generation.
Thanks to this funding, Szczecin plans to drill the Szczecin GT-2 well to a depth of nearly 2,000 meters. At this depth, experts expect to encounter geothermal waters with temperatures ranging between 60 and 80°C.
Szczecin’s Geothermal Potential
The region of Szczecin is among Poland’s most promising geothermal zones. Studies show that the heat flux in this area reaches 90–100 mW/m², one of the highest values in the country.
Although these figures are highly encouraging, only the test well will provide precise data on water parameters, costs, and the long-term feasibility of the project.
Step by Step: How the Project Moves Forward
The first stage was the appointment of a geological supervision company, a role taken on by Multiconsult Polska in July 2025. The next step is selecting the drilling contractor, who will have 12 months to complete the well. An additional 6 months will be required for hydrogeological documentation and analysis.
The deadline for submitting bids is October 3, 2025, at 9:00 AM. Whilst interested parties can get access here on how to tender.
Why Does This Matter?
Geothermal projects offer more than just clean energy they provide a concrete path toward cutting CO₂ emissions, reducing reliance on fossil fuels, and building energy independence. If successful, Szczecin’s geothermal heat could be integrated into the city’s heating system, supplying residents with stable, renewable, and eco-friendly warmth.
As experts point out, this is only the beginning of the journey but Szczecin is already positioning itself as one of Poland’s geothermal pioneers.
đ This project could serve as a blueprint for other cities in Poland and beyond, seeking alternatives to coal and gas while unlocking the untapped power of geothermal energy.
Source: Portal Samor Zadowy
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