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China-Africa Trade Information Service
info.afrindex.com
China-Africa Trade Information Service
Photo by kengen.co.ke
By Kennedy Kangethe
The Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) plans to add 721Megawatts (MW) of electricity from geothermal and wind sources to the national grid in the next five years at a cost of Sh800 billion.
KenGen was incorporated on 1 February 1954 under the Companies Act (Chapter 486 of the Laws of Kenya) as Kenya Power Company (KPC) to construct the transmission line between Nairobi and Tororo in Uganda as well as to develop geothermal and other generating facilities in the country. Since its inception, KPC sold electricity in bulk at cost to Kenya Power under a management contract.
Following the energy sectoral reforms in 1996, the management of KPC was formally separated from Kenya Power and renamed KenGen in January 1997. In 2006, KenGen was listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange after the Government of Kenya sold 30% of its stake in the company through a very successful Initial Public Offer (IPO).
KenGen MD and CEO Albert Mugo, said the additional capacity was in line with the government's efforts to make power accessible and affordable. He said the company has already secured some funding from development partners and internal resources while other financing opportunities are being explored.
In June the company successfully raised Sh26.4 billion through a Rights Issue, whose proceeds will go into the development of the energy projects.
The projects lined up for completion by 2020 comprise the Olkaria V 140MW, Olkaria VI 140MW, Olkaria VII 140MW, Olkaria I Unit 6 70MW, Wellheads 25MW, Olkaria I Rehabilitation 5.7MW, Olkaria I AU & IV topping plant 60MW.
The Meru Wind Faze I 80MW, Geothermal Wellheads 50MW and Ngong III project 10MW are also at an advanced stage."With our internal well equipped and motivated workforce coupled with requisite funding from our bilateral partners for the projects in the pipeline, KenGen is well positioned to deliver on promise and continue to be the market leader in the provision of competitively price electric energy in the country," said Mugo.
KenGen is also exploring other businesses under the new business initiative that seeks to improve our revenue stream from non-generation based revenue and has identified an industrial park in Olkaria area.
The development of the KenGen Industrial Park will not only target the optimisation of KenGen business operations, but also support the governments' industrialisation strategy as a pillar for economic growth and job creation.
Mugo said the Industrial Park will serve as one of the drivers for regional development and will create significant employment opportunities.
On his part, KenGen Chairman, Joshua Choge announced that the planned projects resulted into the decision of the Board of Directors not to recommend dividend payment. Choge underscored the commitment of the company to grow shareholder value as evidenced by the strong full year performance.
The energy utility recorded revenue of Sh38.6 billion and a pre-tax profit of Sh11.26 billion during the financial year ended June 30, 2016.
