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Kenya Electrical energy Producing Firm PLC (KenGen) has introduced a revamped plan to step up electrical energy era from geothermal energy crops in a strategic transfer to cushion Kenyans from the results of low water inflows on the massive hydropower stations.
As of 6 November 2023, Masinga Dam, which is Kenya’s largest hydropower dam, recorded water ranges of 1039.42 m above sea stage (ASL) towards a complete capability of 1056 mA SL. This was barely above the minimal working stage of 1037 mASL, having acquired solely 7.5 mm of rainfall within the final 24 hours.
“Regardless of the continuing rains in most components of the nation, we’re receiving very low inflows at our dams on the Seven Forks, positioned alongside the Tana River,” stated KenGen Managing Director and CEO, Eng. Peter Njenga. “This poor hydrology signifies that we now have to show to a different supply to fulfill the rising demand for electrical energy within the nation.”
In response to a each day electrical energy dispatch report by KenGen, the massive hydroelectric energy stations, which ordinarily would produce a mixed most capability of 626 MW, have been solely in a position to obtain 471 MW at their peak over the previous 24 hours.
“One of many massive energy stations, Masinga, has been shut down most days of November as a part of our ongoing water administration program to make sure we’re in a position to meet the vitality calls for for the longest length doable,” added Eng. Njenga.
Even because the scenario on the dams continues to stay largely subdued because of low inflows, a number of components of the nation proceed to expertise heavy rains, with circumstances of flooding reported in a number of locations, together with areas alongside the decrease Tana River, Garissa, Mandera, Turkana, Meru, and several other components within the Coastal area.
“We’re persevering with with our tree-growing marketing campaign in assist of the Authorities’s 15 billion bushes problem, profiting from the onset of rains to make sure the viability of the seedlings,” commented Eng. Njenga.
The NSE-listed firm stated that it deliberate to plant no less than 500 000 tree seedlings yearly and had already planted 104 292 bushes within the present monetary 12 months (from July 2023), bringing the entire to 2 557 516 bushes grown during the last 9 years.
“We urge Kenyans to benefit from the rains and plant bushes of their houses and even within the workplaces and enterprise areas as that is a technique of not solely greening the planet but additionally serving to put safety towards robust winds and heavy rains, which can typically trigger flooding,” defined Eng. Njenga.
KenGen made the shift to its present geothermal-led technique following repeated failure of hydro era through the years. This poor hydrology is attributed to local weather change, characterised by unpredictable rainfall patterns, making it tough to plan and implement a sustainable water administration programme within the massive dams.
The NSE-listed firm CEO stated KenGen’s strategic transfer to geothermal had helped cushion Kenyans from the results of local weather change which has seen rainfall ranges drop considerably within the nation over the previous few years.
He stated, “Notably, our investments in geothermal vitality ensured uninterrupted electrical energy provide, even within the face of challenges posed by a protracted drought and decreased hydropower era.”
Eng. Njenga went on to say that KenGen was angling to accumulate extra geothermal drilling licenses within the Nice Rift Valley as a part of the corporate’s plans to extend geothermal era capability which he stated was clear and extra dependable as geothermal just isn’t depending on climate.
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