Ruto grants Gideon Moi licence to build a multi-million power plant
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Ruto grants his political rival Gideon Moi licence to build a multi-million power plant to supply electricity
Ruto grants his political rival Gideon Moi licence to build a multi-million power plant to supply electricity.
On March 18, Saturday, Energy Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir visited a geothermal power plant being built in Menengai by Sosian Energy, a firm where Gideon Moi is the majority shareholder.
Kigen Moi, the director of the company, welcomed Chirchir and toured him around the facility.
Kigen also explained that the plant would begin generating power in April 2023.
“We expect to be in operation by end of April 2023 (early power) and June 2023 in terms of full power. In the first phase, we are expecting 22 Megawatts because Units 1 and 2 are ready,” he stated.
According to, Sosian Menengai Geothermal Power Limited (SMGPL), the plant will produce 35MW net geothermal power.
The plant is constructed under a 25-year build-own-operate (BOO) basis through a public-private partnership (PPA) with Kenya Power and PISSA with GDC.
“SMGPL has been issued with a Support Letter from the Government of Kenya and Partial Risk Guarantee from the African Development Fund ADF,” the company profile reads.
Part of the project involves the design, supply, installation, testing, commissioning, and management of defects during the warranty period of the 35MW plant.
The plant will have foundations, structures, turbines and generators, pumps, condensers, a cooling tower, a system for removing gas, an electrical and control system, and other components that make up the balance of the system.
With the Kaishan Group, SMGPL entered into contracts for operation and maintenance (O&M) and engineering procurement (EPC).
In addition to the Menengai facility, Sosian Energy plans to build a 40MW solar park on 400 acres of property in Mogotio.
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Moreover, it runs the Elmolo Wind Power Project and the Sosian Highland Geothermal Power Plant.
During the tour of the facility, Chirchir explained that there was a need to reduce the pressure on hydroelectric power (HEP). He added that this would help lower the cost of power.
The CS explained that the country was forced to generate power using diesel to meet the demands of the country thus pushing power prices up.
This comes after Ruto’s cabinet on February 28, lifted the moratorium issued during President (Rtd.) Uhuru Kenyatta’s reign on procurement of new independent power producers (IPPs) in a bid to increase power generation
In addition, the government on March 15, the Kenya Kwanza government signed a deal with the Fortescue Future Industries (FFI) for the development of a 300 megawatts power hub.
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