Kenya plans to add 5,000MW by 2016, but will industrial demand keep pace?


Energy and petroleum minister Davis Chirchir has announced ambitious plans to add more than 5,000MW to Kenya’s generation capacity over 40 months, boosting output from 1,644MW to more than 6,700MW by the end of 2016. But some commentators have questioned the prudence of adding so much generation capacity so quickly, arguing that demand should come before supply and suggesting that Kenya may end up with a wasteful electricity surplus. Speaking at the 2013 East Africa Power Industry Convention (Eapic) held in Nairobi on 10-11 September, former Energy Regulatory Commission chairman Hindpal Singh Jabbal likened the challenge to creating six new Nairobis, in terms of demand.