Kenya – Kenyans are set to experience reduced electricity bills in the coming months, thanks to an increase in hydroelectric power production driven by improved water inflows, Energy and Petroleum CS Davis Chirchir announced.
According to Kenya News Agency, the ongoing heavy rains in the River Tana catchment areas have led to higher water levels at the Seven Forks Dams. This increase has enabled the Kenya Energy Generating Company (KenGen) to maximize hydroelectric production, which is significantly cheaper than power generated from thermal sources. As a result, thermal power’s contribution to Kenya’s energy mix has decreased to about 4%, while hydroelectric power from the dams has reached 498 MW. This figure could further increase with the upcoming inclusion of the 40MW Masinga power station.
Currently, power production at Masinga, the main reservoir in the Seven Forks, is halted as KenGen aims to build up water reserves to maximum levels. Chirchir noted that Masinga is offline to facilitate this process, with the dam filling at a rate of 0.7M per day and expected to reach full capacity within four to seven days.
Chirchir made these remarks during a visit to Masinga Dam, joined by Garissa MP Dekow Mohamed, Energy Principal Secretary Alex Wachira, and KenGen CEO Eng. Peter Njenga. The visit aimed to assess water levels and address concerns about the impact of dam water releases on flooding in Garissa and Tana River Counties. Mohamed, invited by Chirchir following anxiety in the flooded areas, observed that the dams were not close to spilling over and attributed the flooding in his constituency to rivers originating from the Meru side of Mt. Kenya.
With most of Old Garissa Town submerged, there are fears that flooding could worsen if the dams overflow. However, Chirchir reassured that prior to the rains, water levels in the Seven Forks had decreased, reducing the dams’ contribution to Kenya’s power mix to about 30%. This has now risen to approximately 82%.
Furthermore, Chirchir mentioned the government’s initiation of the Grand Falls Dam project in Tharaka Nithi County. This long-proposed dam, aimed at controlling water from Meru-side rivers, generating power, and providing irrigation in the semiarid region, is currently in the feasibility study stage and expected to be ready by 2031.
Wachira emphasized the importance of keeping downstream residents informed about water level developments, advising caution for residents in Garissa and Tana River counties. Eng. Njenga added that the combined dams hold back about half of the Tana’s flow, mitigating potential downstream havoc. He also noted that Kamburu, the second dam in the cascade, is expected to fill up in three days.