The KenGen Floating Solar Power Station (KFSPS), is a planned 42.5 MW (57,000 hp) solar power plant in Kenya.[1]
| KenGen Floating Solar Power Station | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Country | Kenya |
| Location | Kamburu Dam, Machakos County |
| Coordinates | 00°48′27″S 37°41′06″E / 0.80750°S 37.68500°E |
| Status | Proposed |
| Construction began | H2 2024 Expected |
| Owner(s) | Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) |
| Operator(s) | KenGen |
| Solar farm | |
| Type | Flat-panel PV |
| Power generation | |
| Nameplate capacity | 42.5 MW (57,000 hp) |
Location
editThe power station is planned on the Tana River, adjacent to the Kamburu Dam, in Machakos County.[2] Kamburu Dam is located approximately 140 kilometres (87 mi) by road north-east of Nairobi, the country's capital and largest city.[3]
Overview
editIn 2020, KenGen the national parastatal electricity utility company of Kenya carried out a pre-feasibility study for a floating solar farm adjacent to two dams in the Seven Forks group; namely Kamburu and Kiambere as well as Turkwel in Turkana County.[4] That study selected Kamburu due to multiple factors including cost, steady water levels, road accessibility and proximity to transmission infrastructure.[5]
The pre-feasibility study was funded by the Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau, the German state-owned investment and development bank, based in Frankfurt. The study was executed by Multiconsult, the Norwegian consulting engineering firm.[4] The solar farm will be deployed during the day, especially in the dry season. This will preserve the water to generate hydropower during the night.[1]
Developers
editThe power station is under development by Kenya Electricity Generation Company, who own it, in collaboration with the French Development Agency.[1]
Timetable
editIt is anticipated that construction will commence in H2 2024, last 28 months and conclude in H2 2026.[1] In January 2024, KenGen solicited bids from qualified companies and consortia to provide consulting services for the "supervision and management of the 42.5MW" solar power plant.[6]
See also
edit
References
edit- ^ a b c d Brian Ambani (17 July 2024). "KenGen to add 42.5MW solar power to national grid by 2027". Business Daily Africa. Nairobi, Kenya. Retrieved 18 July 2024.
- ^ Petlong Dakhling (16 November 2023). "KenGen plans a 40MWp floating solar plant at Kamburu Dam". African Energy Council. London, United Kingdom. Retrieved 18 July 2024.
- ^ Google (18 July 2024). "Road Distance Between Nairobi City, Kenya And Kamburu Dam, Kenya" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 18 July 2024.
- ^ a b Jean Marie Takouleu (27 July 2020). "Kenya: KenGen To Install Solar Power Plants In The Reservoirs of 3 Dams". Afrik21.africa. Paris, France. Retrieved 18 July 2024.
- ^ ESI Africa (17 November 2023). "Kenya: Floating Solar Photovoltaic Project In The Pipeline". ESI Africa. Rondebosch, South Arica. Retrieved 18 July 2024.
- ^ Pooja Chandak (8 January 2024). "KenGen Seeks Consulting Services For 42.5MW Solar PV Power Project". Solar Quarter. Navi Mumbai, India. Retrieved 18 July 2024.