Hydroelectric power in Kenya
Hydroelectric power in Kenya currently accounts for about 49% of installed capacity, which is about 761MW. However, the Kenyan Government is strongly pushing for a shift to other alternative resources of electricity generation. By 2030 hydro power will only account for 5% of total capacity at 1,039 MW.[1]
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Challenges
Hydro power's cheaper to build than most sources of electricity but Kenya isn't exactly the greenest place in the world. Even though the capital and largest city in Kenya, Nairobi is situated on high altitudes which is Southern Kenya, most of Kenya especially the counties in the North of Nairobi especially past Isiolo are either Arid or Semi-Arid and are therefore classified as ASAL Areas. Thus there isn't much potential of Hydro power in Kenya.
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Hydro-electric power stations in Kenya
- See main article: List of hydro-electric power stations in Kenya
Seven Forks Scheme
The scheme generates almost all of Kenya's Hydro-electric power. It generates approximately 530 MW of power. It includes
- Masinga Power Station
- Gitaru Power Station
- Kamburu Power Station
- Kindaruma Power Station
- Kiambere Power Station
- Planned
- Grand Falls
- Mutonga
- Sang’oro Hydro
- Kindaruma 3rd Unit & Upgrading Unit 1&2
Gitaru Power Station
Gitaru Power Station is the biggest station in terms of installed and effective capacity. It can produce 222 MW[3] and was commissioned in 1978 (145 MW) and 1999 (80 MW). Gitaru is the biggest power station in Kenya in terms of installed capacity. It is one of the stations included in the Seven Forks Scheme.
See also
- Energy in Kenya
- Geothermal power in Kenya
- List of countries by renewable electricity production
- Renewable energy in Kenya
- Wind power in Kenya
