KenGen increases hydropower production as dams fill up

Power producer KenGen has announced it has increased production of cheap hydropower following heavy rains that have filled up the dams.

KenGen Managing Director Rebecca Miano said the overflowing dams would boost power generation and ensure stability of supply.

HYDROS

In a press statement, Ms Miano said Masinga Dam, which is the largest in the Seven Forks cascade, had risen to 1,045 metres against a maximum level of 1,056 metres.

She said the ongoing rains will boost production in the eastern hydros of Masinga, Kamburu, Gitaru, Kindaruma, Kiambere, which draw water from River Tana.

Optimum production is also expected at Turkwel and Sondu Miriu hydros which draw water from Turkwel and Sondu rivers respectively.

Ordinarily, hydro dams contribute 52.04 per cent of total national grid, with KenGen’s total installed hydro capacity currently standing at 820MW.

Early this year, the NSE listed power generator had scaled down generation from its hydros occasioned by the severe drought that saw a reduction in water levels at the dams.

Ms Miano at the same time allayed fears that the dams cause flooding in surrounding areas, following massive flooding in Tana River, which has been blamed on the spillage at the Masinga dam.

“The dams actually control the flooding by holding much of the water from the rains, without which the effects of the floods would be much worse,” she said.

Ms Miano expressed optimism that the ongoing rains would sustain increased contribution from the hydro power stations.

“We will step up hydro generation in the months ahead but ensure we conserve available water to last until the short rains later in the year,” says Mrs. Miano.

Currently all these rivers are having heavy inflows which are expected to continue until the end of next month.