Nairobi, December 16, 2021: The demand for electricity in Kenya continues to grow at an average rate of 4.5% year-on-year driven by high business activity as the country recovers from the effects of the global COVID-19 pandemic.
At the same time, Kenya has scaled up use of renewable sources further boosting the country’s standing in the fight against climate change.
Speaking during the 69th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Kenya Electricity Generating Company – KenGen which was held virtually, Board Chairman, General (Rtd.) Samson Mwathethe said Kenya’s peak demand of electricity had grown to a historic high of 2,036MW in November this year adding that more than 92% of the electricity consumption was from renewables.
“We are glad to note that in the past two years under review, despite experiencing the challenging operating environment owing to restrictions brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, we recorded progress as a country,” he said adding, “KenGen is committed to creating more value to our shareholders, our focus is now on accelerating the deployment of additional capacity to boost Kenya’s renewable and clean energy reserves.”
The Chairman added, “Our capacity addition program is well aligned to the Government’s Big 4 Agenda and the country’s Kenya Vision 2030’s industrialization goals and medium-term development plans. This is critical in ensuring that we support the Government’s plan towards provision of universal access to electricity to all in Kenya.”
General (Rtd.) Mwathethe said that the company was preparing to add another 83MW to the national grid in the first quarter of 2022 once the Olkaria I, Unit 6 geothermal power plant is commissioned.
He said the company was pleased to have delivered positive results amidst the challenging times.
Speaking during the AGM, Managing Director and CEO, Rebecca Miano said, “KenGen will continue implementing its Corporate Strategy to ensure sustainable electricity supply in the country, while leveraging on innovation and partnerships for business growth and diversification.”
During the AGM, shareholders approved a recommendation by the KenGen Board to pay about 200,000 shareholders a total of Ksh.1.98 billion in dividends for the year ended June 30, 2021.
Ends.../
Note to Editor:
About KenGen
Kenya Electricity Generating Company PLC - KenGen is the leading electricity generation company in Eastern Africa region with an installed generation capacity market share of more than 60%. The company’s primary business is to provide safe, reliable, and competitively priced electric energy for the country in an environmentally friendly and sustainable manner while creating value for its stakeholders.
Today, KenGen PLC has an installed generation capacity of 1,818MW, of which over 86% is drawn from green sources namely: Hydro (826MW), Geothermal (713MW), Thermal (253MW), and Wind (26MW).
For media queries please contact:
Frank D. Ochieng, Tel:0721816896
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Electricity Demand Hits New Record High Driven by Green Energy in the wake of post-COVID-19 Recovery
Nairobi, Thursday, 25th November 2021: The demand for electricity in Kenya hit a new record this week rising to a peak of 2,036MW, the highest ever recorded in history, marking a significant resurgence in demand since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020.
At the same time, the country recorded a new energy gross demand peak of 36,381MWh mostly drawn from renewable energy sources as the economy responds positively to the lifting of some of the COVID-19 related restrictions.
National energy generator, Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen), contributed to the largest jump in renewable energy share with the company scaling up production in its geothermal, hydro and wind power stations to meet the growing demand.
According to a report by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), the total amount of electricity generated by KenGen through its hydro power stations exceeded the period’s projections by 581MWh, denoting a 5.56% increase. KenGen’s total installed hydro capacity currently stands at 826 MW.
KenGen’s Gitaru, Kindaruma, Kamburu, and Kiambere Power Stations were among the hydro power stations that surpassed the projected power generation output. The stations are part of the Seven Forks cascade which forms a crucial component of KenGen’s power generation infrastructure and about 29% of Kenya’s total installed capacity
Commenting on the report, KenGen Managing Director and CEO, Rebecca Miano said the NSE-listed firm was committed to delivering on its energy generation mandate to meet the country’s growing demand for electricity through renewable energy sources.
“KenGen is committed to ensuring steady and reliable supply of competitively priced energy to support Kenya’s economy. The company is doing this by accelerating deployment of renewable energy sources such as hydro, geothermal, wind and solar.” said Miano.
The KenGen CEO has reiterated the company’s commitment to support the Government of Kenya’s ambition to achieve 100% utilization of renewable energy by the year 2030 as a way of fighting climate change.
“Our future project pipeline is mostly green which includes geothermal, wind, hydro, and solar. The projects will be implemented in phases with the first, 83MW Olkaria I unit 6 expected to be commissioned by end of this year,” she said.
Early this year, KenGen joined United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) Business Ambition for 1.5°C Campaign, saying it is banking its future on green, affordable and accessible energy, including geothermal, hydro, wind, and solar.
Ends...//
Note to Editor:
About KenGen
Kenya Electricity Generating Company PLC - KenGen is the leading electricity generation company in Eastern Africa region with an installed generation capacity market share of more than 60%. The company’s primary business is to provide safe, reliable, and competitively priced electric energy for the country in an environmentally friendly and sustainable manner while creating value for its stakeholders.
Today, KenGen PLC has an installed generation capacity of 1,818MW, of which over 86% is drawn from green sources namely: Hydro (826MW), Geothermal (713MW), Thermal (253MW), and Wind (26MW).
For media queries please contact:
Frank D. Ochieng, Tel:0721816896
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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