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Kenya plans to reduce reliance on hydropower

Xinhua, September 9, 2016 Adjust font size:

Kenya plans to reduce the percentage contribution of hydropower to the total energy output because its vulnerability to climate change, an official said on Friday.

State-owned Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) Chief Energy Planner Willis Ochieng told Xinhua in Nairobi that changes in rainfall due to climate change has a big impact on hydropower output.

"The medium term goal is to reduce hydropower contribution from the current 37 percent to 30 percent," Ochieng said.

"This will be achieved by increasing the contribution of geothermal, wind and solar at a faster rate than that of hydropower plants," he said.

Kenya's total electricity installed capacity stands at 2,300MW, out of which KenGen contributes 1,700 MW.

But despite its numerous challenges, hydropower still has advantages such as low maintenance costs over other forms of electricity production, the official said, adding the electricity firm is currently conducting feasibility studies on the best location to build dams for hydropower production. Endit