Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) Chief Executive Officer Peter Njenga has promised Kenyans cheaper electricity prices after a surplus supply of hydropower.
In a statement on Monday February 05, Njenga revealed that the power generation increased following improved water levels at the country’s main dams in the Seven Forks Cascade.
He further noted that Masinga Dam, which is the largest in Kenya, hit near maximum levels of 1,056 meters above sea level (mASL).
The dam was filled with water from Mount Kenya and Aberdares in just three days.
In the last 24 hours alone, the power station recorded a peak output of more than 471MW which, the company noted, will go a long way in stabilizing grid-scale electricity costs.
“We are happy to report that we are receiving very good inflows from the Mount Kenya and Aberdares catchment areas which has led to high water levels at our dams,” the CEO stated.
He added, “This will see Kenyans reap the full benefit of cheaper electricity.”
The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) had in January raised the cost per unit of electricity by 8.7 per cent.
This means that Kenyans were being charged Ksh3.98 per unit, but in January the price increased to Ksh4.33 per unit.
The fluctuating shilling caused a 103.7% increase in the foreign exchange rate fluctuation adjustment (Ferfa), which in turn impacted the prices.
Now, Ksh150 can only buy 4.69 units of electricity.
Njenga further assured Kenyans, especially those living downstream of the five dams, noting that they do not expect to have water spilling downriver any time soon.
“Despite getting close to the maximum water levels at the Masinga Dam which is our biggest, we have not reached spilling level thanks to a robust water management program being implemented by our engineers. We however remain vigilant and will issue an alert should we envision a potential water overflow from the large dams,” he explained.
KenGen revealed that the company had noted reduced inflows over the last week giving further assurance that Masinga Dam will not reach spilling level any time soon.
