AfrElec: Kenyan power utility KenGen launches 42.5-MW solar project

Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) has unveiled plans to add 42.5 MW of solar power in the country's Seven Forks region.

The project, expected to be completed within 28 months, will see the installation of a solar power plant in an area known for its substantial hydroelectric output.

This initiative aims to complement existing hydroelectricity generation by providing additional renewable energy during the day. By harnessing solar power, KenGen plans to conserve water resources for nighttime electricity production, particularly during periods of drought.

The project is being carried out in partnership with the French Development Agency (AFD), representing a new direction for KenGen. The signing ceremony was attended by French Ambassador to Kenya HE Arnaud Suquet, and AFD Country Director Bertrand Willocquet, AFD said in a press release on July 29.

Ambassador Suquet highlighted France's commitment to supporting Kenya’s renewable energy sector, citing successful efforts in clean energy, including at the Olkaria Geothermal Field and the Seven Forks area.

If you would like to read more about the key events shaping the African energy sector, then please click here for NewsBase's AfrElec Monitor.