Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen), the government enterprise charged with electricity generation in the country, is set to build a solar power plant with a capacity of 42.5 megawatts in the Seven Forks dams.
The plant will be built in 28 months as KenGen aims to generate more renewable energy amidst the rising concern over climate change.
KenGen currently produces most of the electricity from hydropower. The new plant will increase the renewable energy share of total electricity production in Kenya. Once completed, the solar energy plant will compensate for the hydropower generation, especially during dry periods.
The plant will be installed in partnership with the French Development Agency (AFD), France’s public development bank that focuses on building shared solutions to diverse issues facing populations in the Global South.
Kenya’s AFD director, Bertrand Willocquet, expressed that France is focused on partnering with the country in accelerating the deployment of renewable energy. Willocquet commended Kenya’s prowess in renewable energy deployment as demonstrated in the Seven Forks and the Olkaria Geothermal Field.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Principal Secretary of the State Department for Energy, Alex Wachira, termed the partnership and the project a big win for the country. “The project will provide affordable, reliable, clean energy, create employment opportunities and community engagement through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR),” said Wachira.
The project demonstrates Kenya’s commitment to achieve 100% renewable energy by 2030. Currently, the country’s electricity comes from clean energy sources.
In 2023, President Ruto pushed for the need for Kenya and other African countries to spearhead green industrialization. Kenya’s ambitious green revolution initiative also promotes sustainable agriculture, green transportation, environmentally friendly urbanization, and green manufacturing.
