Olkaria III Geothermal Power Station

The Olkaria III Geothermal Power Station, also known as 'OrPower 4' is a large geothermal power plant in Kenya, having an installed electricity generating capacity of 139 megawatts (186,000 hp).[1]

Olkaria III Geothermal Power Station
Map of Kenya showing the location of Olkaria III Geothermal Power Station
CountryKenya
LocationOlkaria, Nakuru County, Kenya
Coordinates0°53′20″S 36°15′19″E
StatusOperational
Commission date2000, 2009, 2014 & 2016
Owner(s)Ormat Technologies Inc.
Power generation
Units operational1 x 48 MW
1 x 36 MW
1 x 26 MW
1 x 29 MW
Nameplate capacity139 megawatts (186,000 hp)

Location

The facility is located adjacent to Hell's Gate National Park, along with its sister stations, Olkaria I, Olkaria II, and Olkaria IV. This location lies in the Olkaria area, in Nakuru County, on the eastern edge of the Eastern Rift Valley, approximately 42.53 kilometres (26 mi), by road, southwest of Naivasha, the nearest large town.[2] Olkaria lies approximately 122 kilometres (76 mi), by road, northwest of Nairobi.[3] The geographical coordinates of Olkaria III Geothermal Power Station are 0°53'27.0"S, 36°17'21.0"E (Latitude:-0.890833; Longitude:36.289167).[4]

History

The Olkaria III Power Station first started operation in 2000, running one Ormat power plant with a generation capacity of 13 megawatts (17,000 hp). In January 2009 new infrastructure was installed, adding another 35 megawatts (47,000 hp) to the plant's capacity. Later, 36 megawatts (48,000 hp) production capacity was installed. The third generation unit at Olkaria III, with capacity of 26 megawatts (35,000 hp) was commissioned in 2014, bringing total capacity at the plant to 110 megawatts (150,000 hp).[5] The fourth generation unit, with capacity of 26 megawatts (35,000 hp) was commissioned in 2016, bringing total capacity at the plant to 139 megawatts (186,000 hp).[6]

Ownership

Olkaria III Power Station is owned and operated by Ormat Technologies Inc., a Reno, Nevada registered company, with production facilities in Yavne, Israel. According to Kenyan print media, Ormat Technologies Inc. sold 503 gigawatt hours (GWh) to Kenya Power and Lighting Company, earning KES:3.89 billion (US$45 million), in the 12 months ending 30 June 2013.[7]

See also

References
  1. Odhiambo, Allan (9 February 2016). "US firm injects 29MW geothermal power into grid". Business Daily Africa. Nairobi. Retrieved 9 February 2016.
  2. GFC (28 September 2017). "Distance between Naivasha, Nakuru County, Kenya and Olkaria, Nakuru County, Kenya". Globefeed.com (GFC). Retrieved 28 September 2017.
  3. GFC (28 September 2017). "Distance between Nairobi Central, Nairobi, Nairobi County, Kenya and Olkaria, Nakuru County, Kenya". Globefeed.com (GFC). Retrieved 28 September 2017.
  4. Google (28 September 2017). "Location of Olkaria III Geothermal Power Station, Olkaria, Nakuru County, Kenya" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 28 September 2017.
  5. EII (19 February 2010). "Expanding Kenya's Geothermal Power Potential". Energyinsight.info (EII). Retrieved 28 September 2017.
  6. Otuki, Neville (21 July 2017). "Kenya moves to third in new geothermal rankings". Business Daily Africa. Nairobi. Retrieved 28 September 2017.
  7. Gachiri, John (27 February 2014). "US energy firm records revenue growth from Olkaria plant". Business Daily Africa. Nairobi.
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