Experts Propose Split Energy Storage Plan for Kenya Power Grid

Stakeholders in the national energy sector gathered on August 11 for the Kenya Energy Transition Forum 2026 to discuss strategies for modernising the power network. Discussions centered on expanding grid capacity and integrating higher volumes of clean energy.

Official projections presented at the forum indicate that the grid could require approximately 1,000 Megawatts (MW) of energy storage capacity. This capacity is intended to manage growing demand, while cutting reliance on costly thermal plants.

High operational expenses from thermal power stations continue to affect overall generation costs during peak demand periods. Incorporating robust storage infrastructure allows operators to retain excess renewable power generated during off-peak hours for later distribution.

Dr. Eng. John Mativo, the Managing Director of Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (KETRACO), offered technical perspectives on how the country can achieve this capacity target. He suggested that the required total should not rely on a single technology.

Instead, Dr. Mativo proposed dividing the 1,000 MW target across multiple storage formats. He highlighted that Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) could work alongside alternative options to balance grid needs efficiently.

Topographical assessments show that the country possesses viable locations for Pumped Hydro Energy Storage (PHES) installations. These sites feature existing water bodies situated near significant elevation changes suitable for gravitational energy generation.

Specific regions identified for potential pumped storage infrastructure include natural features along the Rift Valley, Homa Hills, and West Pokot. These locations contain rivers or lakes adjacent to steep terrain, which provides necessary head height.

Pumped hydro systems function by pumping water from a lower reservoir to an upper reservoir during periods of low power demand. When electricity demand spikes, operators release the stored water downhill through turbines to generate immediate electricity.

Battery installations provide rapid frequency response and short-duration power, whereas pumped hydro facilities offer bulk, long-duration energy storage. Combining both approaches helps stabilize transmission lines, while accommodating intermittent solar and wind generation.

Kenya currently derives most of its electricity from geothermal, hydroelectric, wind, and solar assets. However, weather fluctuations impact output, which requires flexible backup resources to maintain grid stability without firing up diesel generators.

Engineers and grid planners at the event stressed that modernising transmission infrastructure remains vital for regional power integration. Infrastructure upgrades will support industrial expansion, while maintaining predictable tariffs for commercial and domestic consumers.

Discussions from the forum will inform ongoing energy policy reviews and infrastructure investment frameworks. Government agencies and private sector developers are evaluating the technical requirements for upcoming energy storage tenders.

The strategic allocation between chemical batteries and mechanical pumped storage will depend on detailed feasibility studies, site access, and project financing structures. Sector leaders expect further policy guidance as implementation plans advance.

Energy analysts note that developing local storage assets aligns with broader national goals to phase out fossil fuels entirely. Establishing a balanced portfolio of storage technologies reduces financial exposure to global fuel price spikes.

International development finance institutions and private power producers continue to monitor these policy developments closely. Detailed capital expenditure models will determine how quickly these storage projects transition from planning into actual construction.