Douglas Mwiti 
KenGen Managing Director and CEO appointed as Co-Chair of the Business 20 (B20) Task Force on Energy Mix and Just Transition under South Africa’s G20 presidency in 2025.
Kenya Electricity Generating Company PLC (KenGen), as the leading power generator, played a key role in meeting this historic demand by ramping up its hydro and geothermal generation.
Kenya reached a historic electricity peak demand of 2,363.41 MW, the highest in the country’s history.This significant milestone underscores the growing energy needs of the nation, fueled by economic expansion, industrial growth, and increasing electrification.
According to the latest Daily System Operation and Dispatch Analysis Report by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), KenGen’s hydropower plants produced 10,502.66 MWh, surpassing the planned dispatch by 5.85%, while geothermal contributed 12,728.87 MWh, making up about 30% of the generation mix.
The increased hydropower output was crucial in cushioning the system during peak periods, with key plants like Gitaru, Kiambere, and Kindaruma significantly exceeding their projected dispatch.
KenGen’s coordinated operation of the Seven Forks cascade system ensured optimal use of available water resources to stabilize the grid.
“This new peak demonstrates KenGen’s unwavering commitment to powering Kenya’s progress,” said Eng.Peter Njenga, KenGen’s Managing Director and CEO, adding:
“Our agility in scaling up renewable energy generation, especially hydropower and geothermal, reflects both operational excellence and our central role in supporting the country’s growing power needs sustainably.”
The report of the new peak recorded at 8:00 PM on August 5, 2025, further highlighted enhanced performance from other renewable sources such as wind and solar.
Despite Minor curtailments of geothermal energy overnight, as reduced demand coincided with high wind generation, necessitating grid balancing, there was no load shedding, affirming the robustness and flexibility of Kenya’s electricity grid.
The new peak is a slight increase from the previous of 2,362.28MW recorded on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, pointing to a historic steady growth.
As Kenya’s energy demand continues to rise, KenGen remains at the forefront of the transition to a green energy future, leveraging its vast renewable energy portfolio to deliver reliable, affordable, and sustainable power to the nation.
KenGen’s leadership in renewable energy is not only central to meeting national demand but also aligns with Kenya’s commitments to climate action under the Paris Agreement.
With over 90% of its installed capacity coming from renewable sources, KenGen continues to drive decarbonization and energy resilience across the grid.
Its operational flexibility during demand peaks, as seen in the dynamic use of hydropower and geothermal baseload sources, highlights its role as a stabilizing force in Kenya’s energy ecosystem.
The performance of KenGen’s geothermal fleet, especially in Olkaria, remains a cornerstone of base-load supply, pointing to a well-coordinated grid that prioritizes cost-effective dispatch and grid stability.
KenGen’s ability to integrate multiple renewable streams into a single responsive system positions it as a model for smart energy transition in Africa.
Looking ahead, KenGen is enhancing its capacity through ongoing investments in new geothermal and wind projects, upgrading and modernization of aging hydro infrastructure, and digitalization of plant operations.
These initiatives aim to support not just peak demand events but to build a resilient grid for future industrial growth, urbanization, and cross- border energy trade. As electricity demand continues to set new records, KenGen remains committed to innovation, sustainability, and powering a brighter Kenya.
