Electricity prices to stabilise as KenGen ups hydro generation following heavy rains

KenGen has enhanced output from hydro with the current heavy rains filling up the country’s major generating dams at the Seven Forks in eastern Kenya.

The power producer said all the dams in the cascade have attained their spilling levels, while the main Masinga Dam is two metres from spilling at 1054.32 metres above sea level (masl).

The water levels at Kiambere, which is the lowest dam in the cascade, stood at 700.23masl and is spilling 46 cubic metres (or 46 million litres) per second.

At Masinga, the highest dam level is attained when water reaches the full supply level of 1,056.5 masl, beyond which the dam spills.

KenGen Managing Director and CEO Albert Mugo said increased inflows to the Seven Forks will raise the contribution from hydro generation and lead to an optimum mix, adding that other power-generating units were operating normally.

“Hydro generation is the cheapest mode of generation, and therefore, any increase in its uptake by the off taker will displace an equivalent amount of other sources from the system. This can only result in stability and predictability in the price of electricity to consumers,” said Mr Mugo.

KenGen has in recent weeks, and following the onset of El Nino rains, optimised its hydro resource deliberately, stepping up generation to minimise spillage.

The firm has also advised communities living downstream of Kiambere Dam, or near the banks of Tana River in Garissa and Garsen areas to move to higher grounds to avoid falling victim to possible flooding.