Kenya Electricity Generating Company PLC (KenGen), has increased hydropower generation after the country’s main dams in the Seven Forks Cascade hit one of the highest water levels in the recent past.
The impressive performance on the hydropower side of the business has largely been driven by Masinga Dam, which is Kenya’s largest, maintaining near maximum water levels of 1,056 meters above sea level (mASL), over the last three days.
“We are happy to report that we are receiving very good inflows from the Mount Kenya and Aberdares catchment areas which has led to high water levels at our dams,” said KenGen Managing Director and CEO, Eng. Peter Njenga. He added, “This will see Kenyans reap the full benefit of cheaper electricity.”
The NSE-listed company said its operational boost at Seven Forks has been remarkable over the last 24 hours, with the power stations recording a peak output of more than 471MW which will go a long way in stabilizing grid-scale electricity costs.
Amid the rising water levels, KenGen moved to reassure Kenyans especially those living downstream of the five dams saying they do not expect to have water spilling downriver any time soon.
“Despite getting close to the maximum water levels at the Masinga Dam which is our biggest, we have not reached spilling level thanks to a robust water management program being implemented by our engineers. We however remain vigilant and will issue an alert should we envision a potential water overflow from the large dams,” said Eng. Njenga.
KenGen said it had noted reduced inflows over the last one week giving further assurance that Masinga Dam will not reach spilling level any time soon.