NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 17 – Kenya’s electricity consumption peaked at 2,316 megawatts (MW) on Wednesday last week, Kenya Power’s latest data shows, an improvement of 12 MW from the previously recorded high of 2,304 MW in January this year.
The utility provider links the growth to enhanced national grid stabilization and key infrastructure projects, including the completion of the Kimuka 220/66kV substation by Kenya Electricity Transmission Company Limited (KETRACO).
Statistics from Kenya Power’s National Control Centre indicate that electricity demand has been on a steady upward trend over the past three years.
The demand first exceeded 2,000 MW towards the end of 2021 and grew past 2,100 MW in 2022. However, it remained below 2,200 MW throughout 2023 before experiencing renewed growth from June 2024.
Kenya Power leveraged this substation to construct four 66kV feeder lines serving Nairobi and neighboring counties.
Likewise, the consumption has been buoyed by the 33kV double circuit interconnector between Narok and Bomet that Kenya Power says has ensured improved redundancy and uninterrupted service.
These developments have facilitated sustained electricity sales, reflecting an overall increase in consumption.
Additionally, the continued expansion of Kenya’s electricity network has led to a sharp rise in the number of consumers connected to the grid.
“The investment in upgrading transmission lines by Kenya Power and KETRACO has resulted in a more stable grid. In the last six months alone, we have connected over 198,535 new customers to the national grid,” said its Managing Director Joseph Siror.
“With improved grid stability and ongoing connectivity projects, we expect electricity demand to maintain an upward trajectory in the short and medium term.”
To further expand electricity access, Kenya Power is currently implementing the donor-funded Last Mile Phases IV and V, which aim to connect an additional 289,121 new customers to the national grid.
Kenya Power is also driving initiatives to boost electricity demand through electric cooking and e-mobility.
These projects aim to support environmental conservation while increasing power consumption.
