GDC - Geothermal Development Company Ltd

Dr. Silas Simiyu, the Managing Director/ CEO of Geothermal Development Company (GDC) has been elected to the Board of Directors of the International Geothermal Association (IGA). The new board will serve up to 2013.

Consequently, Dr. Simiyu will play a bigger global role in providing leadership, influencing decisions and critically contributing to global policy that will shape the international geothermal agenda.

With a membership of over 3000 members in 65 countries, IGA is a global body that focuses on scientific, educational and cultural activities. IGA is also affiliated to the International Renewable Energy Alliance (REN Alliance).

A statement from the IGA website describes the organization’s main objectives as: to encourage research, development and utilization of geothermal resources worldwide through the compilation, publication and dissemination of scientific and technical data and information, both within the community of geothermal specialists and between geothermal specialists and the general public.

The Geothermal Development Company (GDC) has finally completed prospecting for steam in Silali after nearly two months of an extensive geo-scientific field study.

“Preliminary results indicated the existence of an enormous geothermal resource in Silali. This was manifested by the presence of a hot, ductile, and dense body centered under the caldera signifying a large heat,” says John Lagat, GDC’s Chief Geologist.

The study on Silali started on May, 23 and ended on July, 22. Lagat says the team employed various methods during the study, including mapping of structures and occurrences of geothermal manifestations, and characterization of the volcanological associations which are crucial in the development of geothermal systems.

“During the study, soil-gas surveys were also undertaken to indicate the presence of a geothermal reservoir and to map buried structures above the geothermal systems,” Lagat explains.

Ground temperature surveys were also carried out over the area to further confirm the existence of hot bodies under the prospect. After successful study of the expansive area, the team later presented its findings to the management in Nakuru. The GDC’s Chairman, Board of Directors, Mr. Paul Gondi and MD/CEO, Dr. Silas Simiyu, attended the presentations.

Community support

GDC team was however not alone during the Silali study. The local community worked closely with the staff. “We experienced some hitches when little creatures like wild hares gnawed and cut the machine’s cords at night, only for the team to discover the following day that the equipment did not record the data,” says Daniel Ng’enoh who was in charge the operations. “All in all, it was tough but very exciting,” Ng’enoh enthuses.

GDC has engaged two leading software firms to install the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system.

A consortium of Deloitte Consulting Ltd and Enterprise Information Management Solution Ltd will deliver hardware, install the software, train and implement the ERP system in GDC. The system will be rolled out in phases.

The MD Dr. Silas Simiyu has encouraged everyone to embrace the new system once it is installed. He said if implemented and adopted properly, ERP will increase efficiency, transparency, and productivity for the organization.

“It is paramount that we do all the right things from the beginning. That way, we will embed ourselves in the system without difficulties,” he said.

ERP is a computer based system used to manage activities and processes of organizations. These include financial information, human resources data, supply chain management, plant maintenance and operational efficiency, customer complaints, among others.

“GDC has a plan to deliver 5,000 MW by 2030. This calls for a system that can support our mission by delivering information and reports real-time to assist management in decision-making,” said Mr. Bruno Linyiru, the Manager Finance.

According to Linyiru ERP gives GDC an opportunity to benchmark “our activities and processes against the very best institutions.” This therefore calls for hard work from all our staff to ensure that we are among the very best,” he said.

The project kick-off date is schedule for mid next month. The implementation is expected to last for 10 months with post implementation support period of 24 months.

The Geothermal Development Company’s efforts in energy generation

will prove profitable to industrialists, the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) has said.

In a recent breakfast meeting with GDC, the industrialists decried the high cost of electricity which they described as “hurting business.”

They however expressed their confidence in GDC to turn around the electricity situation for industrial growth.

The Managing Director, Dr. Silas Simiyu assured the industrialists that GDC is committed towards providing affordable, reliable and clean energy.

He dispelled fears that electricity costs will go up in the event that GDC strikes dry wells.

“So far we haven’t sunk any dry well,” Dr. Simiyu explained. “The beauty is that GDC will meet upstream risks in order to make

geothermal attractive to investors. This way, geothermal remains the least cost and the most reliable source of electricity.”

Paul Ngugi, GDC’s Manager, Corporate Planning & Strategy presented the GDC and geothermal outlook in the country. 

The industry marveled at the great geothermal potential Kenya boasts of.

Dr. Simiyu invited the KAM and other stakeholders to be vigilant and ensure that GDC delivers.