KenGen plans to generate 2,000MW from geothermal, hydropower sources

The Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) intends to diversify the nation’s energy mix by increasing the deployment of renewable energy by 3,000 MW through a new campaign that would draw 2,000 MW from geothermal and hydro sources.

The electricity producer claims that in addition to pushing for the construction of new hydropower plants and the expansion of current ones, particularly in the Tana River basin, it has put measures in place to maximize the use of existing hydro sources.

KenGen’s acting Managing Director Abraham Serem said the company will be seeking to rehabilitate its existing power plants to make them more efficient for a sustainable generation.
“So far we have only exploited about 0.9GW of the 10GW geothermal potential and that is why a huge chunk of the additional capacity will be drawn from geothermal,”  said Mr Serem.

“Our focus going forward is to secure the baseload capacity to stabilize Kenya’s energy supply mainly from green renewable energy.”

Technology

The firm also states that it intends to use new technology to renovate its 45 MW Olkaria I geothermal power plant, which is the company’s oldest geothermal power plant, to raise its output capacity to more than 60 MW.

“We will also be rolling out plans to up-rate the turbines for the Olkaria I additional units 4 and 5 and Olkaria IV power plants to increase their output by an additional 40MW,” said Mr Serem.

Due to increased oil prices and a depreciating shilling, electricity prices have been going up.
Kenyans have been burdened by this because they already have to deal with a high cost of living and record-high inflation.

The cost of living has increased as a result of rising gasoline and foreign exchange costs in power bills.