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Olkaria geothermal area

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description Olkaria geothermal area Overview

The Olkaria geothermal area is a major geothermal field in Kenya's section of the Great Rift Valley, within and around Hell's Gate National Park near Lake Naivasha. Wells drilled into the underground reservoir supply steam to several power stations, making the area an important source of renewable electricity for Kenya. Its volcanic setting also produces visible geothermal features, including fumaroles, hot ground, and steam vents.

help Olkaria geothermal area FAQ

Where is the Olkaria geothermal area?

Olkaria is in Kenya's Great Rift Valley, within Hell's Gate National Park near Lake Naivasha. KenGen places the project about 120 kilometers from Nairobi. [KenGen geothermal overview](https://www.kengen.co.ke/our-business/energy-generation/geothermal/)

How does Olkaria generate electricity?

Wells tap hot underground reservoirs and bring steam to geothermal power stations, where it drives electricity-generating equipment. The field therefore converts underground heat into grid power without burning coal or gas.

What is historically important about Olkaria I?

KenGen describes Olkaria I as the first geothermal power plant in Africa. The station is part of the wider Olkaria field, which now includes newer plants and wellhead generating units. [KenGen geothermal overview](https://www.kengen.co.ke/our-business/energy-generation/geothermal/)

What is Olkaria V?

Olkaria V is one of the newer geothermal stations in the field, and KenGen lists it as commissioned in July 2022 with a capacity of 172 megawatts. Capacity figures can be reported differently by project stage, so the operator's published specification is the safest reference. [KenGen geothermal overview](https://www.kengen.co.ke/our-business/energy-generation/geothermal/)

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