- The government intends to complement diesel-powered mini-grids with clean energy sources.
- The plants will be fitted with solar PV systems and wind turbines.
Kenya’s government is looking to provide mini-grids to improve electricity access in rural areas. The government intends to implement a project that will see renewable sources complement fossil fuel generation. The government wants to hybridize about 23 diesel mini-grids across the country. The mini-grids being targeted have capacities ranging from 50kVa to 2,320 kVa.
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National utility company Kenya Power (KPLC) has called for tenders from developers. Under this hybridisation proposal, 21 plants will be complemented with solar PV panels. KPLC will also hybridise a thermal with small wind turbines. The remaining plant will be a mix of solar panels and wind turbines.
This project will be supported by the French Development Agency (AFD). The Kenyan government is increasingly looking to electrify the rural areas in the country with clean off-grid energy. The country has implemented a number of projects to achieve this including the Kenya Off-Grid Solar Access Project (KOSAP), which is being funded by the World Bank through the International Development Agency (IDA).
Developers that are interested in the hybridisation project must submit their bids before March 2nd, 2021.