Kenya to discontinue use of thermal power in 6 years

Kenya is targeting to discontinue generation of thermal electricity from Heavy Fuel oil (HFO) in the next six years as part of full transition to renewable energy.

Thermal power is the most expensive in Kenya and also leads to environmental pollution, especially to communities living near the generation plants.

The Ministry of Energy and Petroleum says the government plans to accelerate investments in renewable energy to end the use of thermal power by 2023.

Thermal power forms about 10.22% of Kenya’s generation mix, making it the third largest source of electricity.

Kenya has vast geothermal energy resources, forming the fourth largest share of the country’s energy mix of 42.31%, followed by hydro which contributes 25.61% and wind at 17.76%.

Other sources of electricity that is fed to the national grid include solar (1.59%), imports (2.5%) and biomass (0.005%), according to data from sole off-taker Kenya Power.

To achieve this objective, the government is diversifying energy generation sources ranging from hydroelectric, geothermal, wind, and solar power in line with the objective of the COP20 that requires global nations to gradually move to green energy

ministry of energy

Thermal power plants are peaking plants, which means they generally run when there is peak demand. This is because they are very expensive to run. They also incur huge capacity charges, which are major contributors of the high cost of electricity.

During an inspection of the Sondu Miriu hydroelectric power station, Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi added that the government is modernizing power infrastructure, generation, and transmission to ensure an adequate supply of clean, reliable, sustainable, and affordable electricity.

He said preparation is at an advanced stage for the start of the construction of the Sondu-Ndhiwa electricity transmission line. He further announced that the Awendo-Madaba electricity power line has been completed and is awaiting power connection.

But to fully transition from thermal power, investment in baseload sources such as geothermal and hydro will be key.

Already, three geothermal power generation plants with a total capacity of 150.3MW are planned for completion over the next three years to address a generation shortage that has led to load shedding.

One of the plants is being built by the majority State-owned power generator KenGen while two are being built by private companies.

brian@theenergyreview.com