Drought Forces Kenya to Shut Hydropower Dam

Kenya has closed a 14-MW power generation unit at its Masinga Dam as a result of depleted water levels, according to the country’s main electricity generator KenGen.

 

"Masinga Dam water level has been declining steadily due to poor hydrology for the past two years from 1,956.5 meters in May 2007 to the current level of 1,035.5 meters," KenGen said in a statement. "The station is expected to be up and running before the end of the year depending on the performance of the short rains."

 

The country’s peak power demand is 1,050 MW against an installed capacity of 1,100 MW that includes emergency reserves as Kenya’s short rain season starts in October. Policy makers have been eyeing geothermal sources of power to keep up with electricity demand, which expands by about 8% annually, on the back of a growing economy and population.

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