May 17, 2023 · Incorporating BESS facilities into the grid is not a novel concept in Africa, and Kenya can take cues from neighbouring countries such as Malawi (where the Golomoti solar
The Kenya Electricity Generating Company PLC (KenGen), has been designated to be the Implementing Agency for the Kenyan Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), which is part of the Kenya Green and Resilient Expansion of Energy (GREEN) program, funded by the World Bank.
KenGen has announced that it will implement an initial 100MW BESS project as part of the World Bank funded GREEN program in early 2024. The BESS project has been identified as a possible solution to increased proportion of intermittent energy to the Kenyan power system and energy curtailment during off peak hours.
The BESS project has been identified as a possible solution to increased proportion of intermittent energy to the Kenyan power system and energy curtailment during off peak hours. The BESS project will reduce the impact of intermittency on the grid and store power for use during peak hours.
The company’s energy mix includes Hydro (825.69 MW), Geothermal (799 MW), Solar (253.5MW), Wind (25.5MW). Preliminary analysis from a recent study by the Ministry of Energy indicates the critical need of integrating BESS within the national grid infrastructure.
The BESS will be utilized in the storage of excess energy generated by geothermal plants and help address grid instability arising from high levels of intermittent power by providing load balancing power to the grid.
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