Kenya buying drilling rigs for GT search

In Kenya, Energy Minister Kiraitu Murungi said the country is buying two drilling rigs for $36 million and wants to acquire five more to speed up exploration for steam fields that will be used to generate geothermal energy. He noted that private exploration companies have delayed plans to start the search for hot water and steam deposits, demanding that the Kenyan government first sign agreements to buy the power. The country intends to expand geothermal power plants in Olkaria, 37 miles northwest of Nairobi, over the next two years, at cost of about $1.4 billion, targeting a capacity to generate 280 MW.