The Kenya Power and lighting Company - KPLC or simply Kenya Power, buys most of its electricity from the Kenya Electricity Generating Company, KenGen a state-owned enterprise. Kenya Power has enlisted the services of independent power producers through power purchase agreements to feed power to the national grid.
Some companies have supplied power to the national grid, but they only commercialize once they sign a power purchase agreement with the state distributor. This policy has enabled Kenya Power to meet the demand for electricity.
Here are some of the little-known independent power producers that feed the national grid.
Strathmore University
Strathmore University, a private university, has been running a solar project for over eight years. It currently has 1800 solar panels installed on the rooftops of the institutional buildings. The university's solar project generates 0.6 megawatts but supplies 0.25 megawatts to the national grid from 2014 and uses the rest to meet the power demand of the institution.
It began selling power to KPLC in 2020 when it signed the power purchase agreement with state corporation. The agreement is projected to earn the university, 2 million per month.
File photo of solar panels installed on top of the house
BTE renewables
BTE renewables, one of Africa's leading renewable companies. It set up KIpeto wind firm in Kajiado county. It is capable of generating 100 megawatts and it's currently the second-largest wind power project. It's able to supply 100,00 households with power. It began supplying power to the national grid in January 2021.
Ol Ndanyat wind project
The project is owned by Stima Investment cooperative society and is located in Kona Baridi, Kajiado county. It produces 30 Megawatts(MW). The power purchase agreement signed sells power at 11 Ksh per kilowatt for 10 years.
Kwale International Sugar Company
Kwale International Sugar Company (KISCOL), a sugar processing facility, is located in Kwale county. It generates 18 megawatts of power. The company will sell 10 megawatts of the generated power to Kenya power in the 20-year power purchase agreement.
Biojoule Kenya
Biojoule Kenya, a subsidiary of Vp group, which is owned by the Patel family was the first biomass power generating plant in Kenya. The plant is located at Gorge farm near Lake Naivasha. The horticultural company utilizes crop waste to generate 2.5 megawatts(MW). The company charges Kenya power Ksh 9.16 per kilowatt-hour(kWh).
