KenGen secures World Bank funding for battery energy storage system initiative

KENYA – Kenya Electricity Generating Company PLC (KenGen) has been entrusted with the role of Implementing Agency for the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) within the Kenya Green and Resilient Expansion of Energy (GREEN) program, funded by the World Bank.

Battery storage systems are integral devices that harness power generated from renewable sources like solar and wind, storing it for future release when needed.

This stored energy from renewables can then be effectively distributed, contributing to bolstering the national grid and supporting various transmission-related services.

KenGen is contemplating pilot installations of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) across pivotal regions, including Central Rift, Coastal Region, Mount Kenya, Nairobi, North Rift, and Western Kenya.

Site selection for these projects will hinge on an upcoming Feasibility Study (FS) conducted by KenGen in collaboration with designated FS Consultants.

Early assessments from the analysis have underscored the critical necessity of BESS within the national electricity infrastructure.

These systems will function as vital repositories for surplus energy derived from geothermal and Variable Renewable Energy (VRE) sources, substantially enhancing electricity service provision to Kenyan citizens.

KenGen outlined the formulation of a Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) aimed at ensuring effective stakeholder engagement, public information disclosure, and consultation throughout the entire project lifecycle.

According to Peter Njenga, KenGen’s Managing Director and CEO, “By efficiently storing surplus energy and enhancing electricity stability and reliability, the BESS project will not only alleviate energy curtailment but also usher in a new era of sustainability and energy security.

“This initiative is a crucial stride toward achieving a more resilient and sustainable energy future for Kenya.”

Earlier this year, Kenya entered into an agreement with Fortescue Future Industries (FFI), an Australian green energy company, to advance a significant green energy and fertilizer project collaboratively.

This pact aims to accelerate the Framework Agreement, inked during COP27, envisioning the potential establishment of a green ammonia and fertilizer facility with a 300MW capacity in the Olkaria geothermal field area near Naivasha.

The agreement outlines plans to supply green electricity to the national grid as part of the project scope, laying out a commercial framework, including government support, for its realization. President Ruto emphasized that this agreement marks a substantial stride in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and aligns with the pursuit of a green growth agenda.

Furthermore, this partnership cements Kenya’s course towards industrial decarbonization, echoing the government’s commitment to advancing geothermal resource development, reducing renewable energy costs, and achieving 100% clean energy generation by 2030.

FFI’s dedication to expediting engineering and environmental studies and early procurement for industrial facility development is bolstered by this agreement, further backed by the Kenyan Government’s affirmation to support, facilitate, and protect FFI’s investment.

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