KenGen Expands Renewable Energy Pipeline to 5,500MW
Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) has expanded its renewable energy development pipeline to 5,500MW from a previous target of 1,500MW.
The recalibration was announced during the launch of the Company’s inaugural Sustainability Report, which covers its environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance for the 2024/25 financial year.
The expanded target reflects new sources including a planned 2GW from nuclear, more than 700MW from hydro and increased geothermal resource opportunities.
KenGen said the recalibration also reflects evolving national energy priorities, growing investor confidence in renewable energy and rising regional demand for clean power.
State Department for Energy Principal Secretary Alex Wachira commended KenGen for developing an ecosystem where investors can access competitively priced renewable energy, geothermal steam and serviced industrial land.
“This is a practical demonstration of how energy can move beyond powering homes to powering factories, creating jobs, attracting investment and strengthening Kenya’s manufacturing base,” Wachira said.
KenGen Managing Director and CEO Eng. Peter Njenga said the Sustainability Report captures a defining moment in the Company’s evolution.
“We have strategically recalibrated our long-term growth trajectory from 1,500MW to a 5,500MW renewable energy development pipeline, reaffirming our commitment to powering Kenya’s sustainable economic transformation,” Njenga said.
Principal Secretary for Environment and Climate Change Dr. Eng. Festus Ng’eno welcomed the report and KenGen’s expanded ambition.
“KenGen’s Sustainability Report, coupled with its expanded renewable energy ambitions, demonstrates the kind of corporate leadership needed to deliver our national climate and development goals,” Ng’eno said.
The report shows KenGen maintained a renewable energy dispatch rate of 94.4 percent while generating 6.9 million carbon credits during the period.
Its carbon intensity stood at 0.06089 tCO2e per MWh, placing it among Africa’s lowest-emitting electricity generators.
KenGen grew 887,220 tree seedlings during the year, surpassing its target by 7 percent, while restoring 850 hectares of degraded land.
The Company has planted more than four million trees to date and aims to plant nine million by 2034.
On social impact, 237 students benefited from scholarships through the KenGen Foundation, while more than 42,300 households gained access to clean water.
Local suppliers received 69 percent of procurement opportunities valued at Sh10.01 billion.
The report also shows the Company attained a 100 percent score in governance and transparency assessments.
KenGen currently has an installed generation capacity of 1,786MW, with more than 90 percent drawn from renewable sources, namely hydro, geothermal and wind.
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