Tender – Feasibility study on geothermal power generation from brine, Olkaria, Kenya
Olkaria geothermal plant, Naivasha, Kenya (source: Lydur Skulason, creative commons)
Carlo Cariaga
7 Feb 2024
KenGen has published a tender for consultancy services to conduct a feasibility study on power generation from separated geothermal brine.
Kenya’s state-owned electric power generation company KenGen has announced a new tender for “Consultancy services for feasibility study on geothermal power generation brine in KenGen Olkaria Field.” The tender is open for international applicants.
Expressions of Interest in English must be received on or before 28 February 2024. The detailed tender document can be accessed via this link.
Project background
The main objective of this feasibility study is to assess the technical, economic, environmental, and financial viability of power generation from brine and feasible un-utilized wells within the Olkaria Geothermal field.
In Olkaria geothermal field, KenGen has drilled over 180 production wells. The wells produce two phase geothermal fluid that is separated into steam and brine. In total, the production wells connected to the existing power plants produce over 4,000 tonnes per hour of brine at separation pressures of between 6 and 12 bars and corresponding temperatures of between 158 °C and 188 °C. The separated brine from the interconnected wells is then re-injected while still at high temperatures (>160°C).
KenGen intends to utilize this considerable amount of heat energy in the separated brine for additional power generation using binary technology. In addition, there are a number of production wells that have been drilled but have not been utilised in the single flash condensing power plants because of their low pressure, long distances to the existing power plants, low enthalpy, and cyclic characteristics of some of the wells. Part of the scope of the study shall involve evaluation of these wells for potential use with the brine for power generation.
It is in view of the above that KenGen wishes to engage a consultant to carry out a detailed examination and study of the brine production from Olkaria fields, analyse the physical quality and quantity of the brine for reinjection, recommend most favourable wells for reinjection and advise on the additional power generation possible from the brine by use of Binary technology and further advise on the potential chemical, technical and economic constraints plus options.
The successful applicants must have proven technical capabilities and a proven track record in carrying out feasibility studies and operation of binary power plants. The study is expected to take 6 months.
KenGen is currently undertaking expansion efforts in the Olkaria geothermal field, primarily by way of uprating of the turbines of Olkaria I and IV geothermal power plants. Work on the rehabilitation of the Olkaria I, the oldest geothermal power plant in Kenya, started in mid-2023.
Source: KenGen
