Kenya is now the 7th highest producer of geothermal power as it unveiled the biggest geothermal plant in the world which added an extra 280MW to the national grid.

Immediately after the commissioning, by Paul Kagame of Rwanda and President’s Uhuru Kenyatta in Naivasha, Nakuru County, the Government announced that it would further reduce the cost of power for industries and households.

The cost of power has been reducing drastically since October 2014, when President Kenyatta commissioned the first 140MW plant.

The Olkaria 1 Geothermal plant added an extra 140MW earlier this week, in a move that shifts the country to the top producers of clean energy.

With the additional power, Kenya increased its chances to host the global geothermal summit in 2020.

The country has since submitted a bid to host the international conference and is competing with United States and Japan, among others.

Speaking at the occasion, President Kenyatta termed the inauguration a “historic promise for the people of Kenya and East Africa”.

“This commissioning ceremony is the culmination of immense exemplary effort, colossal investment and admirable collaboration by many partners,” he said.

The President added that geothermal generation is powering the region’s transformation story.

He said the transformational agenda is aimed at growing the East African countries economies fast enough to generate prosperity for its people.

“We are also global pioneers in deploying the cost-saving well-head technology to ensure that our investment goes farther. Energy costs contribute significantly to the cost of producing goods and services,” he said.

He said the Government is committed to reducing the cost of energy and production to accelerate development. He said the generation of 280MW has reduced the cost of electricity by 30 per cent.

He called on all producers to pass the benefits of cheaper power to consumers.