- The Kenya Electricity Generating Company PLC (KenGen), has commissioned a new Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) to supply uninterrupted renewable power to its modular data center, marking a new frontier in Kenya’s long-term green energy strategy.
The newly installed 1.16 megawatt-hour (MWh) BESS will serve the company’s 52- kilowatt Modular Data Center (MDC) at its head offices in Nairobi, a facility comprising 356 U-spaces, purpose-built to support KenGen’s growing digital infrastructure. The storage system is designed to guarantee stable electricity even during periods of low grid demand, underscoring the role of battery technology in enhancing energy resilience.
The launch is a cornerstone of KenGen’s Good to Great (G2G) 2034 strategic blueprint, which targets the rollout of 500MWh of energy storage capacity over the next decade.
“This commissioning marks a crucial step in our journey toward a low-carbon, digitally resilient future,” said Eng. Peter Njenga, KenGen’s Managing Director and CEO during the ceremony at the company’s Nairobi headquarters. “By integrating battery storage into our data infrastructure, we are not only reducing our carbon footprint but also showcasing how energy utilities can lead in sustainable innovation.”
The MDC and accompanying storage system represent a shift in how energy producers support the country’s digital transformation and energy security. The facility is expected to serve internal operations while providing a model for how utilities can use renewable storage to meet rising computing and connectivity demands.
KenGen executives emphasized that the BESS offers multiple advantages, including improved grid stability, energy independence, cost efficiencies, and seamless backup capabilities.
“This initiative is more than a technological upgrade,” Eng. Njenga added. “It is a commitment to Kenya’s green transition and to ensuring that our digital economy is powered by sustainable, reliable energy.”
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
