French Development Agency (AFD) has reached an agreement with Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) to build a new photovoltaic solar power plant in central Kenya. The project developed by KenGen is an alternative to the drought that regularly affects electricity production through the Seven Forks hydroelectric schemes.

The solar power plant will have a capacity of 42.5 MWp. Although the amount of AFD’s contribution is not yet known, KenGen believes that this project aims to protect Kenyans against the rising cost of electricity, as it will supplement hydroelectricity production during the day and save water for electricity production at night, particularly in times of drought.

The aim is therefore to supply more renewable energy to the national grid in the context of climate change. In this context, “France wishes to partner Kenya in the deployment of renewable energies to combat climate change, an area in which Kenya has demonstrated its prowess, as demonstrated by the Olkaria geothermal field and the Seven Forks region”, stated Bertrand Willocquet, AFD’s Director in Kenya.

The Seven Forks region is made up of five hydroelectric schemes located on the upper reaches of the Tana River. Water from the Tana River cascades from one power station to another, taking advantage of the height of the head created by each dam to produce electricity. The Masinga, Kamburu, Gitaru, Kindaruma and Kiambere dams have a combined capacity of 600 MW.