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 ...
Doğal Hayat Geothermal plans to drill an exploration well in Yeşilyurt, Ayvacık, Türkiye, to assess local geothermal potential for sustainable agriculture and tourism.
The project’s main goal is to evaluate the local geothermal potential and explore sustainable uses for agriculture and tourism.
The plan includes drilling an exploration well (YO‑01) on parcel 160, block 7, within the company’s geothermal licence area (access number 3248844). The site spans roughly 9,000 m² of privately owned land, strategically chosen for its geothermal potential.
Because the land is classified as an olive grove, all operations will comply with Turkey’s Olive Tree Law (No. 3573) and Soil Protection and Land Use Law (No. 5403). The regulatory authority has determined that a full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA/ÇED) is not required at this stage.
If geothermal resources are confirmed, Doğal Hayat Geothermal plans to develop tourism and agricultural applications, including thermal tourism facilities and geothermal greenhouses. The specific usage will depend on the temperature and characteristics of the resource discovered during drilling.
This project emphasizes Turkey’s growing geothermal potential, especially in the Aegean and Marmara regions, where geology and high heat flow are favorable. Local communities could benefit from new job opportunities, tourism growth, and enhanced agricultural production.
Doğal Hayat Geothermal’s initiative reflects a strategic step in Turkey’s renewable energy journey, showcasing how geothermal energy can support sustainable development, eco-tourism, and clean agricultural practices.
Source: Energigunul

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