Joseph Bonyo
30 June 2009
Nairobi — Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) has closed down Masinga power dam due to prolonged drought in the country.
In a statement to newsrooms on Tuesday, KenGen noted that despite the action that the overall impact on the company's power generation output will be minimal.
"KenGen has been running Masinga Power Station below the Minimum Operating Level of 1037 meters above sea level for the last three weeks. The remaining water in the dam could not sustain any further generation at the station," read the statement attributed to acting managing director, Richard Nderitu.
According to Mr Nderitu, the running of the station at low water level could have exposed the machines to damage and closing it down was the most "prudent operation at the current water level".
At the time of closure the dam level was recorded at 1035.5 meters above sea level, one and half meters below the recommend minimum operating level.
As a result, company engineers have started releasing the remaining water in the dam through the low level outlet to boost the level of Kamburu Power Station, the second station on the Seven Forks cascade.
While the closure of Masinga is expected to result to a 14-mega watts loss of power, the subsequent raising of the level of Kamburu Dam will result in better efficiencies.
"The overall effect on power generation output will be minimal," added Mr Nderitu
Over the past two years, water level at the Masinga has been declining steadily due to poor hydrology.
The inadequate rainfall experienced around country has further added to low levels.
Meanwhile, the Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC), has entered into power purchase negotiations with two investors under the Feed in Tariff (FIT) Policy.
The deal with Genpro Power Systems (EA) and Kenya Tea Development Authority's Imenti Tea Factory will be lodged with Electricity Regulatory Authority for approval.
Genpro has proposes to sell to KPLC three megawatts of power from their proposed hydro power plant by March 2012.
On the other hand, Imenti Tea Factory proposes to sell 284 kilowatts from their existing plant, which has a 900 kilowatts capacity from October this year.
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