- Kenya’s cabinet has approved the additional development of the Gogo hydropower plant situated on the Kuja River in Migori county which will increase generation capacity from 2MW to 8.6MW.
This decision, made during a Cabinet meeting, chaired by His Excellency, President William Ruto at State Lodge, Kisumu, brings a ray of hope to the people of Western Kenya, who stand to reap significant benefits from this transformative and climate resilient project.
The Gogo Hydropower Redevelopment Project, situated along the picturesque banks of River Kuja in Migori County, is a visionary initiative poised to elevate the dam’s electricity generation capacity from 2MW to a robust 8.6MW.
“The Cabinet’s approval of the Gogo Hydropower Redevelopment Project is a momentous milestone for the people of Western Kenya and a testament to the government’s commitment to regional development,” said KenGen Managing Director and CEO, Eng. Peter Njenga.
He added, “This project not only signifies progress in the energy sector, but also holds the promise of economic growth, job creation and improved livelihoods for our communities while contributing to our clean energy goals.”
The existing power plant, with its origins dating back to 1958, has admirably served its purpose, but now suffers frequent breakdowns and the challenges of sourcing spare parts due to its aging infrastructure.
With the Cabinet’s green light, the Gogo Project is set to rejuvenate the reliability of power supply, while stimulating socio-economic activities across the entire Nyanza and Western Kenya Regions.
Western Kenya is no stranger to the vital role of Kenya’s power generation. The region already hosts several significant power plants, including, Sondu Miriu Hydropower Plant, generating an impressive 60MW, Sang’oro Hydropower Plant with a capacity of 20MW and the substantial Turkwel Hydropower Plant, boasting a remarkable 105MW capacity. These existing power facilities have been essential in meeting the region’s energy needs and fostering economic growth.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
