GDC has marked yet one more main milestone with the profitable discharge of Paka Properly 8-A on the Paka venture. Mr. Davis Chirchir, the Cupboard Secretary (CS) Ministry of Vitality and Petroleum, opened the highly effective properly late final week. The properly is estimated to yield about 20 MW. Its profitable completion has vastly boosted GDC’s output at Paka to 70 MW.
“It is a vital milestone,” enthused Mr. Chirchir quickly after aiding in opening the properly. “It means we now have saved a terrific deal on the prices of drilling a well. Such savings will translate into lowered power tariffs,” the CS explained.
The CS indicated that the Paka field is now ripe for the next frontier which is power generation.
“By the end of this year, we should be going to tender and invite investors to convert the steam here into electricity,” he announced.
The CS who was also accompanied by Mr. Alex Wachira, the Principal Secretary, State Department of Energy, hailed GDC’s drilling success. He reaffirmed that the government will continue to support GDC so that Kenya can succeed in its quest for green energy.
Earlier at the well, the CS and the PS joined the GRM team in opening the well. They stepped into the cellar and rotated the wheel. Soon after, the well discharged a powerful jet of slivery steam. The ground shook. Faces brightened up. Everyone present fished out a smartphone to capture the historic moment that was nothing but spectacular.
Mr. Paul Ngugi, the Managing Director, and CEO, noted that GDC is on the path to sustainability. “We’re happy as a company because of this well. It shows our technology is effective. This way, once we can put up powerplants here, GDC will attain self-sustainability,” the CEO told journalists.
The CS said that the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (KETRACO) will start to work on the modalities of evacuating the power from Paka Hills to the national grid. It is expected that power from Paka Hills will be cheaper – estimated to be less than 7 US cents.
While congratulating and thanking the team that made Paka Well 8A a success, the CEO challenged staff to rise to the occasion and attain excellence in their work. “We’re making progress as a Company. Which is a good thing. But we must all be together on this journey. We need a strong team spirit and sound work ethic. Great companies are supportive companies. They are innovative companies. They’re companies where people work together and take pride in their success,” the CEO counseled.
