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 ...
Iran’s First Geothermal Power Plant Connects to the National Grid, Marking a New Era in Clean Energy
Iran’s First Geothermal Power Plant Connected to the Grid: What Meshgin-Shahr Means for the Country’s Energy Future Image: A thematic image of a geothermal power plant Iran has taken a notable step in clean power with the Meshgin-Shahr geothermal plant in Ardabil province, which has now been connected to the national electricity grid and begun generating electricity. The first phase is 5 MW, supported by a reported investment of 10 million euros, while the broader geothermal reservoir is described as having a potential production capacity of about 250 MW. A Landmark for Iranian Geothermal The significance of this project goes beyond the first megawatts delivered to the grid. It marks Iran’s formal entry into commercial geothermal power generation at a time when many countries are looking for firm, low-carbon electricity that does not depend on weather conditions. According to the report, the plant is being developed by the Thermal Power Generation Holding Company and is loca...