KenGen invests in Sh1 billion plant to curb power crisis

By John Njiraini

To address the deepening energy crisis, KenGen is constructing a new generation plant.

The Ngong Wind Turbine Power Project, which will inject an additional 5.1 MW to the national grid, will be commissioned in September this year. The plant to cost Sh1 billion will generate electricity from wind and forms part of small plants that KenGen is investing in to cater for electricity demand in the short-term."Developing of the project helps the country meet the rising energy demand that is growing at about eight per cent annually," said Hezron Ng’iela, KenGen Senior Project Engineer during a tour of the plant.

transmission lines

Construction of the plant comes at a time when the country is staring at a worsening power crisis following the shutting down of Masinga Power Station and possible closing of Kamburu Power Station in the next few months due to falling water levels. This has forced the country to rely on thermal generation to meet demand, leading to an increase in retail tariffs and souring production costs for manufacturers. According to Ng’iela, the Kenya Power and Lighting Company completed construction of the transmission lines that would integrate the power produced with the national grid.

The Ngong wind project, which is financed by a loan from the Belgian Government, is the first phase for KenGen’s foray into clean energies.

Plans are underway to embark on the second phase that will see the construction of another wind plant with an installed capacity of 5.7 MW.