Kenya's registers highest daily power demand in August
Business
By
Antony Gitonga
| Aug 11, 2025
Energy and Petroleum CS Opiyo Wandayi and Kenya Power Chairperson Joy Brenda Masinde at the National Control Centre during induction tour and update on the status of electricity supply in the country, on September 5, 2024. [File, Standard]
The country’s daily electricity demand has been on a sharp rise, with industrial growth and more connections to homes contributing to the high numbers.
According to the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (Epra), the country’s daily demand now stands at 2,363.41 megawatts (MW), the highest in history.
This is an increase from 2,362.28MW recorded on July 23, 2025, with Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) playing a critical role in pumping hydro and geothermal power to the grid.
READ MORE
Ruto dangles Sh6m bounty, house in Harambee Stars' Zambia clash
Kenya ends a decade-long dry spell against Morocco
Tanzanians now thinking of trophy triumph as they reach last eight
How Ruto's policies end in confusion and resistance
Wild cheers, wild bites: Football meets game meat in Dar es Salaam
More millions in sight as Kenya makes Chan quarters
Owino: Rise of Kisumu's finest to Harambee Stars backline pillar
Harambee Stars to pocket another Sh1 m each after stunning Morocco
Leaders praise Harambee Stars after historic win over Morocco
CHAN 2024: 10-man Harambee Stars stun Morocco to book quarter-finals
According to the daily system operation and dispatch analysis report by Epra, KenGen’s hydropower plants produced 10,502.66 megawatt-hour (MWh), surpassing the planned dispatch by 5.85 per cent.
Geothermal contributed 12,728.87 MWh, making up about 30 per cent of the generation mix as the State moved to phase out thermal power. KenGen Managing Director Peter Njenga said the rise in power demand underscored the growing energy needs of the nation, fueled by economic expansion, industrial growth, and increasing electrification.
In a statement, Njenga said the increased hydropower output was crucial in cushioning the system during peak periods, with hydropower plants like Gitaru, Kiambere, and Kindaruma exceeding their projected dispatch.
“KenGen’s coordinated operation of the Seven Forks cascade system ensured optimal use of available water resources to stabilise the grid,” he said.
The development comes days after the Cabinet approved the construction of Olkaria VII Geothermal Power, which will pump an extra 80.3MW into the grid.
The project is a collaborative effort between Kenya, Japan and the European Investment Bank.