KenGen Is Committed to Developing Sustainable Energy in Kenya

As a dedicated champion of sustainability and environmental awareness, KenGen advocates renewable energy, sustainability, and safety. By taking an environmentally conscious approach, our company deeply cares about keeping all our geothermal development operations eco-friendly and green. We comply with all laws and regulations pertaining to care for the environment and we are excited about the future of sustainable energy development in Kenya and beyond.

Environmental Services

At KenGen, we have made it our mission to mainstream our environmental goals within every operational area. This is part of our corporate strategy, and it is the core mandate of generating sustainable energy for the Kenyan nation and the rest of Africa. Our focus is to protect the natural world and preserve the environment’s capability to support life on earth. We recognize that our operations affect the local environment as well as the country, both socially and economically. As such, we believe in setting sustainable objectives in all operations and activities that take into consideration:

• Climate change
• Social safeguards
• Environmental sustainability
• Environmental management
• Project appraisal and monitoring

To make sure we are on top of every aspect related to geothermal development, KenGen has a department dedicated to dealing with challenges involving the environment, quality control, and safety. This department consists of a team of multi-disciplinary engineers and scientists who are all registered members of the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA).

Having our operational base in Kenya has created numerous opportunities. The many renewable energy options in our country have been a driving force behind the government’s expansion of this sector. There are viable ways to harness geothermal energy, solar power, hydro and wind energy, and biomass.

Geothermal Energy: Putting Kenya on the Map

The main geothermal resource in Kenya is located in the Rift Valley area and can produce around 10,000 megawatts across 14 sites. Currently, Kenya’s total power generation is at a capacity of 828 megawatts, powered nearly 50% by geothermal energy. However, this type of energy is only used in the Menegai, Eburru, and Olkaria fields. In the future, this is set to drastically expand with several prospects already identified within the Kenya Rift, and a wealth of other potential sites that have yet to be studied in-depth.

Geothermal energy is expected to play a vital role in Kenya’s energy sector in the future. This is particularly exciting as this type of power is reliable and has a low operating cost.

Massive Potential in Solar Development

Kenya is one of the highest countries on the African continent with five to seven peak hours of sunshine and an average of 4–6 kWh/m2 daily isolation because it is located so close to the equator. There is potential for as much as 14% of this energy to be converted into electricity! As the government gives greater support and installation costs drop, the solar energy sector is expanding slowly but surely. The number of solar home systems will continue to grow in the coming years.

Hydropower Is Happening in Kenya!

More than 800 megawatts of hydropower have already been used in Kenya, making up about 30% of the country’s electricity generation every year with KenGen responsible for most of it. While these are excellent levels, there is potential for much more — as much as 3,000 to 6,000 megawatts! The source for this potential is situated in five regions, including the basins of Lake Victoria, the Rift Valley, the Tana River, and the Athi River. There is, however, increasing awareness of the vastness of the possibilities held by hydropower generation.

Wonderful Wind Energy

Known as one of the most mature renewable energy sources when it comes to development and technology, wind power has tremendous development potential. As with solar energy, costs are decreasing, and this type of sustainable energy is growing at a steady pace in Kenya. KenGen recently invested in a farm in Ngong, which has 30 turbines and a capacity of 26MW. There are several other projects planned and in various stages of development.

Biomass Energy — Turning Waste Into Energy

Biomass energy involves turning waste, such as manufacturing residues, agricultural and wood residues, and human and animal waste into energy. While such processes have only shown modest potential thus far, this could change as the agricultural and industrial sectors develop.

A Bright Future for Sustainable Energy Development in Kenya

Geothermal, solar, and wind energy plants have been identified as viable development options and have mini solar-fed grids that supply electricity to rural areas. The government is actively supporting these sectors, and we are looking forward to exciting developments over the coming years.