Kenya’s Electricity Use Surges to Unprecedented Levels

Kenya registers historic power demand as KenGen increases renewable energy supremacy.

Kenya has recorded the largest electricity demand in history, which has made an increase in industrial activity and domestic consumption fueled mainly by renewable energy.

The electricity demand reached its peak at 2,411.98 megawatts (MW) in the country, with a record high daily energy consumption of 44,122.60 megawatt-hours (MWh).

The milestone indicates the increased trustworthiness of the Kenyan energy sector due to increased production of geothermal and hydropower.

Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) set a record in the national clean energy growth and it pointed out that renewable energy remains the main pillar in the stability of the national grid.

KenGen continues to be the industry leader in Kenya with more than 53 percent of the overall electrical power generation in the country.

Geothermal stations had 12,787 MWh, which is 5.07 more than the projections but the hydropower plants produced 9,871 MWh, which is 3.23 above projections.

The good performance compensated for low levels of solar production due to the seasonal changes.

KenGen has maintained steady production of renewable energy, which, according to the KenGen Managing Director and CEO, Eng. Peter Njenga, keeps Kenya grid stable and minimizes the use of costly thermal generation, which fits within the national climate objectives.

According to him, the amount of renewable capacity set by the company had reached 1,605 MW, which highlights the leadership of Kenya in the production of sustainable energy.

The wind generation also registered a 15.45 per cent growth as a result of higher performance at night and thermal plants temporarily built 11 per cent of the total generation, which was just a bit more than the forecasted margin to balance the system.

Although the demand increased, no load shedding was reported, which was a huge milestone to the Kenyan power infrastructure.

Analysts believe that this reflects the strength of the grid, as well as the effectiveness of the long-term investments in renewable energy, which KenGen is leading.

According to Eng. Njenga, this expansion of power requirement is a good sign of the economic recovery of Kenya, and the success of our long-term investments on sustainable generation.

The record power demand in Kenya is an indication that the government is pushing the envelope as it strives to have more and more access to safe electricity in a bid to reduce carbon emissions.

As the percentage of power supplied by renewables currently constitutes the bulk of the energy supply in the country, the professionals state that Kenya is currently progressing toward its vision of a 100 percent clean energy grid in the near future.