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An analysis of data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) has revealed that in the nine months upto September last year, the share of thermal power to Kenya’s national power mix grew by 13 percent from 9.3 percent compared to a similar period of 2021 hitting a four year high.
An analysis of data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) has revealed that in the nine months up to September last year, the share of thermal power to Kenya’s national power mix grew by 13 percent from 9.3 percent compared to a similar period of 2021 hitting a four year high. It also reported a sustained decline in electricity drawn from the hydro dams. The share of hydropower to the national mix fell to 24.8 percent in the first nine months of last year from 30.2 percent in 2021.
The reason for the high uptake of thermal power is attributed to inadequate water levels in hydropower plants due to droughts, interruption of the Loiyangalani-Suswa transmission power line, and unplanned outages at some of the Olkaria geothermal wells. The share of geothermal power also has been stagnating over the years.
Kenya Power depends on thermal plants to meet demand and ensure stable supply at peak times. However, poor rain patterns impacted hydro levels leading to higher reliance on thermal plants. The high uptake of electricity from dirty fuel generators continues to hurt Kenya Power’s efforts to provide cheaper and clean energy. Diesel-run thermal plants contribute to pollution as well as high electricity bills. Higher use of thermal power leads to higher electricity bills for consumers as the costs are passed on to them in the form of the fuel adjustment surcharge.
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In its latest annual report, Kenya Power assured that the Company is enhancing the uptake of renewable energy to further green the energy mix, reduce thermal generation and lower the cost of electricity. Kenya has been scaling up investment in geothermal, wind, and solar sources in a bid to lower its reliance on thermal plants.
