KenGen Commissions New Battery Energy Storage System in Nairobi
- KenGen has commissioned its first 1.16 MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in Nairobi
- KenGen has a 52-kilowatt modular data centre, which supports the company’s growing digital infrastructure
- KenGen CEO Peter Njenga explained how the BESS will benefit the company and the country's sustainability goals
Education is Your Right! Don’t Let Social Norms Hold You Back. Learn Online with TUKO. Enroll Now!
Elijah Ntongai, an editor at TUKO.co.ke, has over four years of financial, business, and technology research and reporting experience, providing insights into Kenyan, African, and global trends.
The Kenya Electricity Generating Company PLC (KenGen) has officially commissioned its first Battery Energy Storage System (BESS).
Source: Original
The BESS will power KenGen's modular data centre in Nairobi.
The newly launched 1.16 megawatt-hour (MWh) BESS was built to supply uninterrupted renewable power to KenGen’s 52-kilowatt Modular Data Centre (MDC), which houses 356 U-spaces dedicated to supporting the company’s expanding digital infrastructure.
Search option is now available at TUKO! Feel free to search the content on topics/people you enjoy reading about in the top right corner ;)
The system ensures stable electricity supply, even during periods of low grid demand, strengthening energy reliability for critical operations.
The project is part of KenGen’s Good to Great (G2G) 2034 strategic blueprint, which aims to roll out 500 MWh of energy storage capacity across Kenya over the next decade.
Importance of battery storage
Speaking during the launch ceremony, KenGen Managing Director and CEO Peter Njenga emphasised the importance of integrating storage technology into Kenya’s clean energy ecosystem.
“This commissioning marks a crucial step in our journey toward a low-carbon, digitally resilient future. By integrating battery storage into our data infrastructure, we are not only reducing our carbon footprint but also showcasing how energy utilities can lead in sustainable innovation,” Njenga said in a statement seen by TUKO.co.ke.
According to KenGen, the new facility demonstrates how renewable energy storage can enhance grid stability, energy independence, cost efficiency, and provide seamless backup capabilities for data-intensive operations.
KenGen leads in renewable energy
The company said the MDC and BESS project serves as a blueprint for other utilities seeking to power digital transformation with clean, reliable energy.
The company believes battery storage solutions will play a critical role in meeting Kenya’s rising energy demands while reducing carbon emissions and supporting the growth of the country’s digital economy.
“This initiative is more than a technological upgrade. It is a commitment to Kenya’s green transition and to ensuring that our digital economy is powered by sustainable, reliable energy,” Njenga added.
KenGen’s latest investment reinforces its position as a leader in renewable energy generation in Eastern Africa, with over 90% of its current 1,786 MW capacity sourced from hydro, geothermal, and wind energy.
Source: Original
Did KenGen invest in Eswatini?
In other news, KenGen invested KSh 250 million in a geothermal development deal with the government of Eswatini.
The agreement was signed with Eswatini Electricity Company (EEC) to conduct geoscientific studies to assess geothermal potential in three regions of the Southern African country.
Speaking during KenGen’s 72nd Annual General Meeting on November 28, 2024, Njenga said the project aligns with Kenya’s strategy to expand its renewable energy expertise beyond its borders and support Africa’s green energy transition.
Kenya remains the continent’s leading geothermal energy producer, ranking among the top 10 globally, with an installed capacity of 754 MW.
Proofreading by Asher Omondi, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
