Geothermal Development Company

The Geothermal Development Company (GDC) is a wholly owned parastatal of the Government of Kenya. It is mandated to execute surface geothermal development, including prospecting for, drilling, harnessing and selling geothermal energy to electricity-generating companies for energy production and sale to the national grid.[1]

Geothermal Development Company
GDC
Agency overview
Formed2008
JurisdictionKenya
HeadquartersKawi House, South C Bellevue, Popo Lane, Off Red Cross Road, Nairobi
Agency executives
  • Walter Nyambati, Chairman of the Board of Directors.
  • Paul Ngugi, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer.
Parent departmentMinistry of Energy
Websitewww.gdc.co.ke

Location

The headquarters of GDC are located in the capital city of Nairobi, at Kawi House, in the neighborhood known as South C.

Overview

The country was heavily dependent on hydroelectric energy from the time of independence until the early 2000s. Due to unpredictable rainfall patterns, the levels of the country's rivers fell and Kenya underwent a marked reduction in electricity output in the 2003 - 2006 time frame.[1] In an attempt to reduce the over-reliance on hydroelectric energy and its susceptibility to weather changes, GDC was formed in 2008 as a Special Purpose Vehicle to carry out rapid geothermal exploration and drilling in the country to enable the Kenya Electricity Generating Company and Independent Power Producers (IPPs) to build power stations and not only diversify the national electricity grid,[1] but also to fulfil a pledge to install 5,000 MW of electricity in the country by the year 2030.

Outside development partners have offered help.[2] GDC has plans to develop academic courses in geothermal energy at Kenyan universities, starting with courses at Dedan Kimathi University of Technology.[3]

Recent developments

In November 2015, seven senior managers' employment at GDC was terminated due to tendering irregularities. In August 2016, replacements for those terminated executives were advertised.[4] In the 12 months ending 30 June 2015, the agency is reported to have made an after-tax profit of KES:1.6 billion (USD:16 million).[5]

In 2020, a new CEO was appointed to head the organisation, replacing the previous one who served for one term.[6]

See also

References
  1. Omenda, Peter (2012). "Geothermal Development in Kenya: A Country Update - 2012" (PDF). Geothermal-energy.org. Retrieved 6 April 2016.
  2. EFIK (11 April 2011). "France and Kenya sign agreement for geothermal development in Kenya". Nairobi: Embassy of France in Kenya (EFIK). Retrieved 6 April 2016.
  3. Waruru, Maina (14 November 2014). "Africa Opens Its First Geothermal Energy Research Center for Workforce Development". Renewableenergyworld.com. Retrieved 6 April 2016.
  4. Herbling, David (24 August 2016). "Geothermal agency opens search for new chiefs after shake-up". Business Daily Africa. Nairobi. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
  5. Herbling, David (30 September 2016). "Geothermal Development's turn to profit tilts energy mix". Business Daily Africa. Nairobi. Retrieved 30 September 2016.
  6. April 15 2020, Wednesday (2020-09-20). "GDC picks energy insider Jared Othieno as CEO". Business Daily. Retrieved 2022-05-12.
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