KenGen has advanced its production of electricity from geothermal power plants in Olkaria, Naivasha in a bid to shield Kenyans from the adverse effects of the prolonged drought.
This move comes against the backdrop of poor hydrology precipitated by five successive seasons of drought when the country received poor rainfalls leading to low inflows in the large hydropower dams in the Eastern region of the country.
During a tour of the Seven Forks cascade, the Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary, Davis Chirchir said, “Last year the long rains of March-April-May were poor and the same was experienced during the short rains of October-November-December and this has adversely impacted the electricity output.”
The Energy CS continued by stating that the lack of rain in the nation affected electricity generation, forcing power generators to use geothermal and other accessible energy sources to satisfy the present demand for power.
“We have now stepped-up production from our geothermal power station to help meet the shortfall brought about by the low output from the hydropower stations,” he said.
According to reports from the Kenya Meteorological Department, the country experienced the lowest rainfalls in the whole of 2022 compared to the previous five years, a situation that has led to low water levels in all dams in the country.
“Despite the low inflows in our dams the whole of last year up to now, we have managed to stabilize generation from the hydropower station by implementing a robust prudent water management program to ensure optimal generation for as long as possible,” said the Energy CS.
As of Friday, February 10, the Masinga Dam reservoir, the largest in the country, was said to have 1,037 meters above sea level, with only less than two and a half meters left for it to get to its lowest operating level of 1,035.
“In the likely event that we get near the levels of 1,036masl at the Masinga Dam, we may have no alternative but to stop the machines in line with our standard operating procedures and best practices in hydropower plant operation and maintenance,” said Chirchir.
Chirchir also appreciated the investments the country had made in geothermal energy over the years, assuring Kenyans that their power supply will remain stable all through the season as the country prepares for the long rains that are expected in March.
