KenGen connects new plant to grid

Electricity generating company KenGen has connected its Olkaria I unit VI to the national grid, thereby increasing the company's output geothermal.

The construction of the plant which began in 2018 is also set to reinforce the government efforts in raising generation from clean energy sources.

"Last week marked the successful commissioning of the 83 megawatt (MW) plant which is now connecting power to the grid," KenGen CEO Rebecca Miano said on Thursday.

The new plant brings KenGen total installed geothermal capacity above 900 MW.

KenGen continues to intensify the push for sourcing all its generated electricity from renewable sources and has recently began drilling additional geothermal wells at its Eburru Geothermal well located in Naivasha.

The connection of Olkaria I, VI coincides with a new record peak demand for electricity in the country which touched a high 2051 MW last month.