The Kenya Electricity Generating Company PLC (KenGen), has been designated to be the Implementing Agency for the Kenyan Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), which is part of the Kenya Green and Resilient Expansion of Energy (GREEN) program, funded by the World Bank. KenGen is the leading electric power generating company in Kenya, generating 1904MW, which represents a market share of 65% of the nation’s installed capacity, making KenGen the largest energy producer in East Africa. The company’s energy mix includes Hydro (825.69 MW), Geothermal (799 MW), Solar (253.5MW), Wind (25.5MW).
Preliminary analysis from a recent study by the Ministry of Energy indicates the critical need of integrating BESS within the national grid infrastructure. The BESS will be utilized in the storage of excess energy generated by geothermal plants and help address grid instability arising from high levels of intermittent power by providing load balancing power to the grid.
KenGen has announced that it will implement an initial 100MW BESS project as part of the World Bank funded GREEN program in early 2024. The BESS project has been identified as a possible solution to increased proportion of intermittent energy to the Kenyan power system and energy curtailment during off peak hours. The BESS project will reduce the impact of intermittency on the grid and store power for use during peak hours. KenGen is working with the World Bank to fast-track implementation of the project with the aim of addressing the increasing frequency of power outages in the national system.
The U.S. Commercial Service in Kenya expects KenGen to issue a call for an Expression of Interest for the 100MW BESS project in January 2024. U.S. firms have a strong advantage in BESS technologies and should monitor KenGen’s website (https://www.kengen.co.ke/) for updates related to the procurement.
For more information, please contact the Foreign Commercial Service at the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya through:
Ms. Mary Masyuko
Commercial Specialist
Email: Mary.Masyuko@trade.gov