This archive report was first published on 31 July 2019.
On July 31, 2019, Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) made a significant announcement that has sparked optimism among consumers: the injection of an additional 79 MW of electricity into the National Grid. This move is expected to decrease electricity bills in Kenya, making it a welcome development for the country's energy sector.
According to KenGen, the 79MW of power will be generated by the Olkaria V power unit, which is expected to produce 158MW at full capacity. The new power unit is expected to be synchronized into operation by the end of August, injecting the additional 79MW into the National Grid.
KenGen's efforts to increase the country's renewable energy capacity are part of a broader strategy to cater to Kenya's growing energy demands. The company has developed an energy mix that comprises of Hydro at 819.9MW, Geothermal at 612 MW, Thermal at 53.5MW, and wind at 25.5MW. With about 70 percent of Kenya's electricity installed capacity coming from renewable sources, the country is among the global top producers of clean energy.
President Uhuru Kenyatta's vow to ease the burden of electricity bills on consumers last week has also contributed to the optimism surrounding KenGen's announcement. The injection of 79MW of geothermal power is expected to lower electricity bills in Kenya, as it is not only cheaper to generate but also non-weather reliant.
