France finances a 42 MWp solar power plant in Kenya

Agence Française de Développement (AFD) is supporting the construction of a 42 MWp solar power plant in Kenya. This project, led by the Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen), aims to diversify the country's energy mix in the face of climate challenges.

Share:

Centrale solaire Kenya 42 MWp

Comprehensive energy news coverage, updated nonstop

Annual subscription

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access • Archives included • Professional invoice

OTHER ACCESS OPTIONS

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2$/month*
then 14.90$ per month thereafter

FREE ACCOUNT

3 articles offered per month

FREE

*Prices are excluding VAT, which may vary depending on your location or professional status

Since 2021: 35,000 articles • 150+ analyses per week

Kenya continues to diversify its energy mix with the construction of a new solar photovoltaic power plant near the Seven Forks hydroelectric complex.
The project is financed by the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and managed by the Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen).
The main objective is to alleviate the frequent droughts that affect hydroelectric production in this region.

Objectives and Financing

The 42.5 MWp solar power plant aims to stabilize electricity costs for Kenyans.
The exact amount of AFD’s contribution has not yet been disclosed, but the project is essential to reduce dependence on hydroelectricity, particularly in times of drought.
By producing solar energy during the day, the plant will save water from dams for the production of electricity at night.

Environmental Impact and Franco-Kenyan Partnership

This project is part of the fight against climate change.
Bertrand Willocquet, Director of AFD in Kenya, underlines France’s commitment to working with Kenya in the deployment of renewable energies.
Kenya, already a pioneer with sites such as the Olkaria geothermal field, continues to demonstrate its leadership in energy transition.

Regional context

The Seven Forks region, located high up on the Tana River, is home to five major hydroelectric dams: Masinga, Kamburu, Gitaru, Kindaruma and Kiambere, with a combined capacity of 600 MW.
Water from the Tana flows through these dams in succession, using the head created by each dam to generate electricity.

Perspectives and challenges

The addition of this solar power plant to the Seven Forks region strengthens Kenya’s resilience in the face of climate challenges, while increasing the share of renewable energies in the national energy mix.
This project illustrates the importance of international partnerships in the fight against climate change and the promotion of sustainable energy solutions.
This initiative represents a significant step towards a more stable and sustainable energy future for Kenya, while strengthening the ties of cooperation between France and Kenya in the field of renewable energies.

US-based developer Janta Power secures funding to expand its vertical photovoltaic towers across data centres, airports, charging stations and critical infrastructure.
The global floating solar panel market could triple by 2030, supported by energy demand and favourable regulations, according to the latest double-digit annual growth forecasts.
Recurrent Energy, a subsidiary of Canadian Solar, secured $825mn to develop a 150 MWac solar plant and a 600 MWh storage site in Maricopa County, in partnership with Arizona Public Service.
Canadian firm Stardust Solar grants its first African franchise to Megatricity Energy in Zambia, launching a new phase of expansion into emerging solar energy markets.
French energy company elmy finalises a €3.5mn bank loan with Caisse d’Epargne Rhône Alpes to fund 13 new photovoltaic plants with a combined capacity of 3.6 MWp.
Ampyr Solar Europe has connected a 45MWp solar cluster to the grid, made up of three sites spanning 40 hectares in Germany, supplying electricity to 13,000 households.
The independent commission approved development of the Glorit solar project, with a capacity of 147 megawatts (MW), north of Auckland, following a detailed assessment of environmental, land-use, and economic impacts.
i Grid Solutions and CPower have partnered to accelerate the deployment of solar plants through on-site power purchase agreements, targeting 30MW of installed capacity by 2028.
PowerBank has signed a lease for a 1.76 MW ground-mounted solar project in upstate New York, aiming to power around 200 homes through a community-based programme.
AXIAN Energy has acquired a majority stake in the Bangweulu solar plant in Zambia, strengthening its pan-African solar strategy while entering a rapidly growing energy market.
Sun Trinity has commissioned a 3.1 MW solar carport in Nara, bringing its on-site PPA capacity with Aeon Mall to 10.1 MW under a nationwide rollout plan across twelve commercial sites.
A joint programme funded with CHF15.12mn ($19mn) aims to boost energy efficiency and renewables in Alpine regions by 2029.
Aurora Renewables will develop an intelligent microgrid combining solar, batteries and digital simulation technology to enhance power supply in northern Saskatchewan.
Norwegian firm Scatec expands its presence in West Africa with two solar projects totalling 64 MW and a 10 MWh storage system, under lease agreements signed in Liberia and Sierra Leone.
The New South Wales Government has approved Ark Energy’s hybrid solar and battery project in Richmond Valley, combining a solar power plant and long-duration storage.
Nextracker will supply steel frames for solar modules to T1 Energy in a multi-year deal worth over $75mn, aiming to strengthen the local solar supply chain and reduce dependence on imported aluminium.
Geronimo Power has started construction on the Bee Hollow solar park in St. Clair County, a 150 MW project expected to generate $54mn in direct economic impact for the region.
EDP has commissioned a solar power plant in Salerno integrating livestock farming, with a capacity of 10 MWc and an annual output of 17 GWh, marking the launch of a hybrid model to be replicated in France and Germany.
Aura Power has finalised financing for its fourth UK solar plant in twelve months, backed by Rabobank, bringing its under-construction capacity to 242 MWp across the country.
The Tützpatz solar project, developed by Vattenfall and powered by GCL System Integration, combines energy production and agricultural use across 93 hectares without public funding.

All the latest energy news, all the time

Annual subscription

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access - Archives included - Pro invoice

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2$/month*
then 14.90$ per month thereafter

*Prices shown are exclusive of VAT, which may vary according to your location or professional status.

Since 2021: 30,000 articles - +150 analyses/week.