Reports improved water levels at large dams in the Eastern region.
•Hydropewer forms a major component of the country’s energy mix, coming second after geothermal.
•Installed capacity for hydro is at 837.58MW, wind 435.5MW, while solar is at 170MW. Installed geothermal power generating capacity is at 949.13MW.
Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) has stepped up hydropower generation to help stabilise costs and electricity prices in the country.
This follows improved water levels at large dams in the Eastern region over the past week with the ongoing rains.
The NSE-listed company said its operational boost at Seven Forks Dam has been remarkable, with the power stations recording a peak demand of more than 476MW in the last 24 hours.
KenGen said it had similarly witnessed improved water levels at Masinga Dam, which is Kenya’s largest, reaching water levels of 1,042.60 meters above sea level (mASL), surpassing the minimum operational level of 1,037mASL.
The company has consequently increased its generation from Kamburu and Kiambere power stations, thereby improving the overall performance of the hydropower stations.
Despite the rainfall, Masinga dam levels are however still short of reaching maximum water level of 1,056.50mASL, according to KenGen managing director and CEO Peter Njenga.
“We do not expect Masinga to spill anytime soon as the water levels are ascending very slowly. We remain vigilant and will issue an alert should the dam levels approach spilling thresholds,” Njenga said in a statement on Wednesday.
The current weather reports indicate that heavy rains are continuing across most parts of Kenya, with flooding incidents in the lower Tana River, Garissa, Mandera, Turkana, Meru and parts of the Coastal region.
Hydropower forms a major component of Kenya’s energy mix, coming second after geothermal.
Installed capacity for hydro is at 837.58MW, wind 435.5MW, while solar is at 170MW, latest industry data by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority indicate.
Kenya ranks first in Africa and seventh in the world in installed geothermal power generating capacity, at 949.13MW.
Geothermal contributes 39.15 per cent of the energy generated in the country, followed by hydro (26.47%), wind (16.22%), thermal (13.02%), Solar (2.47%) while imports account for 2.67 per cent.
