KEY POINTS
- Wind and solar now make up over 20% of Kenya’s grid capacity.
- Kenya Power says sudden output changes are putting pressure on grid stability.
- The utility wants more investment in geothermal and hydropower.
Kenya Power has warned that the rapid growth of wind and solar power is creating challenges for the stability and reliability of the country’s electricity grid.
The national electricity utility said variable renewable energy sources now account for more than 20 per cent of Kenya’s total grid capacity.
The company said the share can rise significantly during periods of high daytime demand, with wind and solar sometimes contributing about 34 per cent of the country’s energy mix.
While Kenya’s growing use of renewable energy supports its clean energy goals, Kenya Power said the unpredictable nature of wind and solar generation is creating difficulties for managing the national grid.
Unlike some electricity sources that can provide relatively steady power, wind and solar generation can change depending on weather and environmental conditions.
Solar power can fall when sunlight reduces, while wind generation can drop or increase as wind speeds change.
Kenya Power said sudden changes in renewable generation can put pressure on the national grid.
When wind or solar output falls unexpectedly, other power plants have to increase generation to fill the gap and maintain a stable electricity supply.
When renewable production rises sharply, the grid can also face challenges in absorbing the additional electricity.
The utility said these changes can expose the power system to greater vulnerability if other sources cannot respond quickly enough.
Grid stability becomes more difficult
Kenya Power said the changing output from wind and solar means the electricity system needs other sources that can quickly respond when renewable production changes.
The company said this can require additional generation to be brought online to protect the grid from instability.
These backup arrangements can increase operating costs for the electricity system.
Kenya Power said the additional costs may eventually be passed on to electricity consumers through higher electricity bills.
The utility noted that Kenya’s experience is similar to challenges faced by other regions that have significantly increased their use of renewable energy. In some electricity markets, grid operators can reduce renewable generation when there is too much electricity being produced.
This process, known as curtailment, allows operators to limit the amount of power entering the grid when necessary.
Curtailment can help maintain grid frequency and prevent congestion on transmission networks.
Kenya Power said the country’s current system makes this more difficult because of its “take or pay” arrangements.
Under such agreements, the utility may still be required to pay for and dispatch contracted electricity from wind and solar projects.
This limits its ability to reduce renewable generation when supply exceeds what the grid can safely or efficiently accommodate. Kenya Power said it has had to use additional generation plants to manage sudden changes in wind and solar output.
These plants provide backup power when renewable generation drops and help maintain the stability of the electricity system.
However, operating additional generation facilities comes at a cost. The utility said these expenses can increase the overall cost of electricity paid by final consumers.
The situation highlights the need for Kenya to balance the expansion of renewable energy with investments in grid infrastructure and more stable sources of electricity.
Kenya Power recommended giving greater priority to renewable energy sources that can provide more stable electricity.
The company specifically pointed to geothermal and hydroelectric power as options that can complement wind and solar generation.
Geothermal energy is particularly important for Kenya because it can generate electricity more consistently and is less dependent on changing weather conditions.
Hydropower can also provide a relatively stable source of electricity, although its output can be affected by water availability.
Greater investment in these sources could provide a more balanced renewable energy mix and reduce some of the challenges associated with fluctuating wind and solar generation.
