Drought hits Kenyan hydroelectric output

• 7 years ago (2017-01-10)
• David Flin

Hydroelectric 17

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Kenya’s Government said that the drought, following low rainfall during the October and November rainy season, has driven down water levels in dams. The Kenyan Energy and Petroleum Ministry said that as a consequence, the country will have to generate more of its electricity using diesel, which will result in a rise in prices between now and March.

The Ministry said water levels at dams at the Sondu-Miriu and Masinga hydropower stations, which produce a total of 100 MW, were low. It did not give specifics about the impact on capacity. Around 820 MW to the Kenyan grid is from hydropower.

Charles Keter, Energy Minister, said: “We have enough supply from geothermal and diesel driven power sources to cover what we might lose from the hydropower stations affected by the ongoing dry weather.”