Kenya Electricity Generation Company (KenGen) now intends to diversify its production module in view of the vagaries of the effects of climate change and unreliable rains.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Eng. Peter Njenga said they will no longer depend of water alone for power generation and intend to use other sources such as solar power, wind power, and geothermal to counter the environmental changes.
He however said that the cost of power is set to come down following the onset of intensified rains which have stabilized water levels at power generation dams across the country boosting hydroelectric power generation.
This, he said, will see the company avail more power onto the national grid at a reasonable price which he said will translate into a ripple effect on the cost of the commodity for consumers.
Speaking during a shareholder’s tour of Sondu-Miriu Hydroelectric Power Project in Kisumu County, the CEO said that the company will continue to work on the generation plants to enhance efficiency.
“Collectively our hydropower plants generate an astounding 826 MegaWatts (MW) representing 46 percent of the total energy output for our company,” he said.
Eng. Njemga said that KenGen will also invest in solar energy to augment other power sources in order to stabilize power in the country where the generator will capitalize on solar power during the day and hydroelectric generation during the night to ensure steady supply round the clock.
“We have embraced a forward looking strategy that embraces renewable energy, aligning us with the prevailing green energy trends that are reshaping our industry,” he said.
The shareholders’ tour has evolved into a cherished tradition, harking back to its inception in 2011 when KenGen first welcomed 300 shareholders at Seven Forks in Machakos County.
In the vibrant Western Region, Njenga said that Sondu Miriu, Sang’oro, Gogo, and Turkwel Power Stations, stand as a prominent contributor to the national grid, injecting an impressive 189MW of electric energy.
Currently, KenGen boasts a total generation capacity of 825MW from all its hydropower plants, constituting a significant 46% of the nation’s total energy output.
“However, the energy landscape is evolving, and in the years to come, geothermal energy is poised to surpass hydropower. Today we have about 799MW (39%) from geothermal, wind at 26MW (1%) and the rest coming from thermal,” he said.
Njenga said the tour was timely, coming at a time when they have received Cabinet approval for the Gogo Hydropower Redevelopment Project which is poised to elevate the Migori-based plant’s electricity generation capacity from its current 2MW to a robust 8.6MW.
He said that the existing power plant, with its origins dating back to 1958, has admirably served its purpose. However, with aging infrastructure, it faces frequent breakdowns and challenges in sourcing spare parts.
By Fredrick Odiero
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