Kenya’s Electricity Demand Hits 2051MW peak

The national demand for electricity has hit a new peak demand of 2,051MW up from 2,036MW recorded in November 2021, pointing to an accelerated growth and recovery in demand which slowed down in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The new peak demand was recorded on 12th May 2022 in the Daily System Operation and Dispatch Analysis Report by Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA). This growth was driven mainly by renewable energy sources with geothermal energy making the greatest contribution, giving a further boost to Kenya’s climate action agenda. 

According to the Daily Power Generation and Dispatch Analysis Report released on 19th May 2022 by Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), the country’s highest energy gross demand was recorded on 18th May 2022, registered a 2.5% growth to record a new peak of 37,273.17MWh up from 36,380.63MWh in November last year.

NSE-listed electricity generator, KenGen PLC’s geothermal power stations in Olkaria, Naivasha provided the largest share of 14,763.37MWh during the recent analysis. KenGen currently boasts of 713MW of geothermal energy generation capacity and is readying to commission another 83MW in its newest power plant, the Olkaria I additional unit 6.

At the same time, the EPRA May 19th, 2022, report also revealed that the total amount of electricity generated by KenGen through its major hydropower stations exceeded the National Control Centre (NCC)’s dispatch projections by 1,988.42MWh, denoting a 25% increase. KenGen’s total installed hydro capacity currently stands at 826MW.

In the same report, Gitaru, Kindaruma, Kamburu, and Kiambere Power Stations were among the hydropower stations that exceeded 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.

Commenting on the report, KenGen Managing Director and CEO, Rebecca Miano said the report is a reflection of KenGen’s ongoing strategic efforts to meet the country’s growing demand for electricity through harnessing Kenya’s rich renewable energy sources.

“KenGen is committed to ensuring steady and reliable supply of competitively priced electricity to support Kenya’s economy. The company is doing this by accelerating deployment of renewable energy sources such as geothermal, hydro, wind, and solar.” said the KenGen MD.

In June last 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.

“Our future project pipeline is green, including geothermal, wind, solar and hydro. The projects will be implemented in phases with the first expected to be commissioned by June 30th 2022,” said Miano.