Nairobi, Kenya – Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) has announced plans to construct an 8.8 billion Kenyan shilling (Ksh) battery storage system for its solar power plant at Seven Forks, aiming to enhance electricity supply during peak demand periods. The 3MW/4.5MWh battery project, funded by the French Development Agency (AFD), will store excess solar energy generated during the day and release it to the national grid during high-demand evening hours, improving grid stability and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
The initiative aligns with Kenya’s recent mandate requiring all new solar and wind projects to integrate battery energy storage systems (BESS). This policy underscores the government’s push to address renewable energy intermittency and ensure consistent power supply. Moses Njoroge, KenGen’s Managing Director, emphasized the project’s significance: “This storage system marks a critical step in our renewable energy strategy. It not only stabilizes the grid but also maximizes the utility of our solar investments, delivering clean energy when Kenyans need it most.”
Slated for installation at the Seven Forks site in Eastern Kenya, the battery will complement KenGen’s existing hydropower and geothermal facilities. AFD’s financing reflects growing international support for Kenya’s green energy transition, with the agency noting the project’s role in advancing climate resilience and sustainable development.
Meanwhile, UK-based energy firm Globeleq has revealed similar plans for a 40MW solar plant in Malindi, Kilifi County, which will include a 60MWh battery storage facility. These parallel projects highlight Kenya’s accelerating shift toward hybrid renewable systems, combining solar generation with storage to meet rising electricity demand, currently growing at 3% annually.
Kenya, which derives over 90% of its electricity from renewables, aims to achieve 100% clean energy by 2030. However, solar and wind’s variable output has posed challenges for grid management. Battery storage solutions like KenGen’s and Globeleq’s are pivotal in bridging gaps between generation and consumption, particularly during peak evening hours when demand surges.
Energy Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir praised the initiatives, stating, “Storage technologies are essential to our energy future. They enable us to harness renewables more effectively, reducing costs and emissions.”
As KenGen finalizes technical plans for the Seven Forks project, expected to commence construction in early 2025, the development signals Kenya’s commitment to innovative energy solutions. With global storage costs declining, such projects could set a precedent for other African nations seeking to balance renewable expansion with grid reliability.
For now, all eyes remain on Kenya’s evolving energy landscape, where batteries are poised to become as vital as the renewables they support.
