Kenya’s first hybrid power plant has gone online. Renewable Energy Forum Africa, an investment forum dedicated to renewable energy organized by AFSIA and SolarPower Europe unveiled the project which is situated in Baricho, Kirinyaga County.
The dubbed Gitwamba power plant is a hybrid system that combines both hydroelectric and solar power generation. This design allows the facility to operate effectively throughout the year, as it can harness energy from both sources depending on seasonal variations.
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Gitwamba power plant
The project has a total capacity of 170 kW. The hydropower component has an installed capacity of 50 kW with a design flow rate of 0.65 m3/s. The solar array, managed by SolarNow, has an installed capacity of 150 KW with expectations to ramp up to 350 KW next year.
The plant’s design takes into consideration the fluctuating flow rate of the river in the region, which varies between the dry and rainy seasons. During the dry season, the solar component provides additional power, while the hydropower component supplements energy generation during the rainy season. This ensures a stable power supply to customers in Kirinyaga County day and night. The project will benefit 150 households, 8 schools, 2 medical facilities, 10 businesses and equally open doors for both direct and indirect jobs