Kenya Power has taken the lead in ensuring the country’s transition to electric mobility is a smooth one. The company has been actively investing in grid expansion and automation to accommodate the rising demand for electricity. Recently, Kenya Power held its inaugural E-mobility Conference to bring together stakeholders from the private and public sectors to develop a roadmap for electric motorization in the country.
Investment in Grid Expansion
In the last five years, Kenya Power has invested over KSh 40 billion in grid expansion and refurbishment projects. The grid network now covers over 300,000 kilometers in circuit length and serves over 9.1 million customers, giving access to over 75% of the country’s population in all 47 counties. Additionally, the country has an installed capacity of 3,321 MW against a peak demand of 2,132 MW, with 90% of the electricity dispatched to the grid comprising of clean energy generated through renewable sources.
Supporting E-Mobility
To support the growth of e-mobility, Kenya Power has established a liaison office that acts as a one-stop shop to champion the company’s e-mobility business. The company is working with investors and stakeholders to support the development of the e-mobility ecosystem, which includes identifying potential charging station sites and developing geo-mapping software to locate the nearest charging station. The company’s subsidiary, the Institute of Energy Studies and Research, is also undertaking a multi-stakeholder project to analyze the impact of charging infrastructure on the national grid.
Setting the Stage for E-Mobility
During the current financial year, Kenya Power has set aside KSh 40 million to purchase three electric vehicles and construct three electric vehicle-charging stations within Nairobi. The company plans to phase out its entire fleet of 2,000 fossil fuel-powered vehicles within the next 4 years through retrofitting electric engines on existing vehicles and purchasing new electric vehicles. The company is also in the process of hiring a consultant to guide the development of an E-Mobility Network Infrastructure System to pilot electric vehicle charging stations.
Kenya Power sees the growing demand for electric-powered vehicles as an organic opportunity to support the country’s green agenda and drive demand for electricity, especially at night to bridge the gap between off-peak load and available generation capacity. The company’s investment in grid expansion and its commitment to supporting e-mobility show its dedication to a greener and more sustainable future for Kenya.
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