Naivasha: Five African countries have tapped Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen)'s technological savvy and decades-old expertise in geothermal exploration to assist them in transitioning to green energy power use. This initiative aligns with commitments to the Paris Climate Agreement (2015), which aims to reduce carbon emissions, limit global temperatures to below 2 degrees Celsius, and reverse climate-induced calamities.
According to Kenya News Agency, KenGen's years of geothermal exploration have positioned Kenya as a leader in Africa, generating 754 MW of geothermal power with plans to double it to 1,500 MW by 2034. This achievement has prompted Tanzania, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Zambia, and E-Swatini to leverage KenGen's expertise to accelerate their green energy transitions, particularly in geothermal power.
Company Managing Director Eng. Peter Njenga stated that KenGen has been awarded exploration rights in Zambia and Tanzania, while drilling is ongoing in Ethiopia, Djibouti, and E-Swatini. Dr. Njenga emphasized that KenGen will utilize its technological support and expertise to assist these countries in transitioning to clean energy sources, following Kenya's successful model.
Njenga, speaking in Naivasha, noted that the company is progressing in rehabilitating the old Olkaria 1 power plant, which will increase its power generation from 45 MW to 63 MW upon completion. "The rehabilitation of the old Olkaria 1 power plant is 50 percent complete and aims to add 18 MW more to our national grid from the current 45 MW to 63 MW by 2026," said Njenga.
He highlighted that KenGen supplies 60 percent of Kenya's electricity needs daily and is committed to expanding to meet the growing demand for reliable power for households and industries. Moreover, KenGen is seeking funding from investors to realize its 10-year strategic plan (2024-2035), aiming to increase green energy power generation to 1,500 MW and ensure the country's energy mix is entirely green.
With only 1,000 MW of geothermal energy currently tapped from a potential 10,000 MW, KenGen plans to partner with other agencies, including the Geothermal Development Company (GDC), to explore more sources in Menengai, Suswa, and Eburru, among others, to achieve these ambitious targets.
Njenga also mentioned that the company's Green Energy Park at Olkaria in Naivasha has attracted ten investor bids, offering them steady, reliable, and cheaper green energy for industrial-scale development. The 342-hectare park has already been launched, with the government breaking ground for a sh100B data center by Konza Technopolis and Microsoft, running on 100 percent geothermal energy.
Currently, Kenya's energy installed capacity stands at 1,726 MW, comprising 754 MW of geothermal, 826 MW hydro, 120 MW thermal, and 25 MW wind. On transitioning to clean energy and reducing carbon emissions, KenGen has initiated plans to convert its fuel-driven fleet to green-powered vehicles.
KenGen's Assistant Manager for Transport, Sandis Mukhongo, noted that they have begun procuring clean energy-powered cars to achieve a carbon-free fleet in the coming years. Mukhongo also mentioned that KenGen is seeking more partnerships to establish infrastructure for electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across the country, encouraging more Kenyans to adopt electric cars.