The power-starved African state, which has 53 of 70 generation facilities inoperable currently and extensive periods of blackouts, hopes to accelerate the delivery of two generation plants, Comtex reports. Kenya Power & Lighting company has signed agreements with the Deutz UK consortium and Burmeister and Wain Scandanavian Contractor for two 55 MWe diesel generators. The two units are to be located at Lanet and Eldoret and due to begin commercial operations in June and July 2001 respectively, under a fast track agreement. The total cost is $135 million of which 30 per cent will be equity and the remainder debt.
An additional 8 MWe of capacity has become available in Kenya as the first phase of a 64 MWe geothermal power plant has come on line, reports Africa News. The Olkaria III project is being developed by Orpower 4 Inc, a subsidiary of Ormat International Inc of the US. Construction began in January and is scheduled for completion by July 2003.
Last month, tenders for the 64 MWe Olkairia II project were awarded to NKK Corp, Marubeni Corp and Zakhem International Corp.
