KenGen rolls out first grid battery system. The Kenya Electricity Generating Company PLC (KenGen) has taken a bold step to advance clean energy by launching its first Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). This new system delivers uninterrupted renewable power to KenGen’s Modular Data Center (MDC) at its Nairobi headquarters.
KenGen installed the BESS with a capacity of 1.16 megawatt-hours (MWh) to directly power its 52-kilowatt MDC. The facility contains 356 U-spaces that support the company’s expanding digital infrastructure. This setup guarantees reliable energy access, even when grid demand drops or power outages occur.
In a Tuesday statement, KenGen highlighted the system’s role in ensuring a stable electricity supply. The company also emphasized how battery storage strengthens energy resilience and supports Kenya’s transition to a low-carbon future.
KenGen Managing Director and CEO, Eng. Peter Njenga, welcomed the launch as a major achievement. He noted that the project reflects the company’s mission to reduce emissions while leading energy innovation in the region.
“By integrating battery storage into our digital infrastructure, we reduce our carbon footprint and set a strong example in sustainable power solutions,” Njenga said during the event in Nairobi.
Leverage storage
The MDC and BESS will not only support internal operations but also provide a model for other utility firms. KenGen aims to show how energy providers can leverage renewable storage to meet increasing demands for data and connectivity.
This project aligns with KenGen’s Good to Great (G2G) 2034 strategy. Through this plan, the company intends to roll out 500MWh of battery storage capacity across Kenya within the next decade.
BESS operates like a giant rechargeable battery. It stores surplus energy from renewable sources such as solar and wind when production is high. It then releases the stored energy during peak usage times or outages, maintaining a steady power supply.
Through this initiative, KenGen continues to lead in clean energy, digital readiness, and sustainable infrastructure.
