- KenGen is adding 42.5MW of solar power in the Seven Forks area to boost Kenya’s renewable energy.
- This project will complement hydroelectric power by generating energy during the day and conserving water for nighttime use.
Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) is set to add 42.5MW of solar energy in the Seven Forks area, marking a significant step in scaling up Kenya’s green energy deployment. The project, anticipated to take 28 months, aims to install a 42.5MW solar power plant at the site of the Seven Forks dams, where KenGen generates a substantial portion of its hydroelectricity.
This additional capacity is expected to enhance the country’s renewable energy portfolio and help mitigate the rising cost of power. The solar plant will complement hydroelectricity generation during daylight hours and conserve water for electricity production at night, particularly during drought.
The project, implemented with the French Development Agency (AFD), represents KenGen’s first large-scale solar initiative. It aligns with Kenya’s efforts to increase renewable energy in response to climate change.
The signing ceremony was attended by Alex Wachira, the Principal Secretary (PS) of the State Department for Energy, and Eng, KenGen’s Managing Director and CEO. Peter Njenga; French Ambassador to Kenya HE Arnaud Suquet; and AFD Country Director, Bertrand Willocquet.
Bertrand Willocquet emphasized France’s commitment to partnering with Kenya on renewable energy to combat climate change, citing Kenya’s achievements in the Olkaria Geothermal Field and the Seven Forks area. PS Wachira welcomed the project, highlighting its benefits in providing affordable, reliable, clean energy, creating jobs, and promoting community engagement through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
KenGen Managing Director and CEO, Eng. Peter Njenga described the partnership as timely and aligned with the company’s goal of increasing Kenya’s renewable energy capacity to 100% by 2030. Njenga noted that the solar project will complement hydropower during sunny periods and help conserve water for nighttime power generation, supporting Kenya’s transition to a 100% green energy future.