Rebecca Miano, Managing Director and CEO of Kenya Electricity Generating Business (KenGen), says the company is speeding the deployment of renewable energy to address the negative consequences of climate change.
Miano stated during a panel discussion on the theme, Accelerating Clean Technology Innovation and Deployment, at the COP26 World Leaders Summit in Glasgow, Scotland, that KenGen is committed to fighting climate change and supports the Government of Kenya’s ambition to achieve 100% renewable energy utilisation by 2030.
“Our future project pipeline, which is mostly green, includes geothermal, wind, solar and some hydro. The projects will be implemented in phases with the first expected to be commissioned by end of this year,” said Miano.
During the panel discussion, key dignitaries in attendance included President Uhuru Kenyatta, US Vice President Joe Biden, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, among other Presidents and world leaders including The Duke of Cambridge Prince William and Microsoft co-founder and billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates.
The KenGen CEO confirmed the company’s commitment to the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) Caring for Climate Working Group in an effort to concentrate the company’s operations on sustainability.
KenGen has joined the UN Global Compact’s Business Ambition for 1.5°C Campaign, stating that it is betting its future on green, cheap, and accessible energy sources such as geothermal, hydro, wind, and solar.
KenGen’s MD and CEO, who is also a Board Member of the Global Compact Network Kenya (GCNK), stated that the firm is strengthening its collaboration with other important players in order to make clean technology the most economical, appealing, and accessible alternative for users.
“There is an urgent need to focus on renewable energy to meet our energy needs. AfDB estimates Africa’s electricity access rate at about 40% with over 645 million people with no access to electricity,” said Miano.
She said KenGen had also explored several opportunities with Non-State Actors including financial Markets and has over the years raised funds for green energy projects through various financial instruments such as infrastructure bonds and Rights Issue.
“We also work with technology providers for innovative clean energy solutions including sizing of power plants, geothermal reservoir modelling and automation of operations and maintenance of our power plants through Internet of things,” said Miano.
She said KenGen had made inroads in working with other countries to help fast-track the adoption of green energy as a way of accelerating sustainable development while at the same time combating climate change.
“I am happy to confirm that we are already sharing our expertise and skills in accelerating clean energy innovation deployment, more so in geothermal development,” Miano said adding, “Indeed, in Africa we have a golden chance to go green early enough when the opportunity for growth is still rife. Through partnerships, which is SDG 17, we make the world habitat a better place for present and future generations.”
KenGen PLC is East Africa’s largest electricity producer and is among the top 10 geothermal energy producers in the world.
