KenGen unveils battery energy storage system in fresh renewable energy push
The newly installed 1.16 megawatt-hour (MWh) BESS will supply uninterrupted power to KenGen’s 52-kilowatt Modular Data Centre (MDC), a facility designed to host and support the utility’s growing digital infrastructure.
The Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) has unveiled its first Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)at its Nairobi headquarters, a move aimed at powering its modular data centre and advancing the country’s shift toward clean energy and digital resilience.
The move is part of KenGen’s broader ambition to support Kenya’s transition to renewable energy and digital infrastructure.
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The newly installed 1.16 megawatt-hour (MWh) BESS will supply uninterrupted power to KenGen’s 52-kilowatt Modular Data Centre (MDC), a facility designed to host and support the utility’s growing digital infrastructure.
The MDC comprises 356 U-spaces and is equipped to ensure a stable electricity supply even during periods of low grid demand.
According to KenGen Managing Director and CEO Eng Peter Njenga, the launch is a significant step toward achieving the company’s long-term sustainability goals under its Good to Great (G2G) 2034 strategy. The blueprint targets the rollout of 500MWh of energy storage capacity across the next decade.
“This commissioning marks a crucial step in our journey toward a low-carbon, digitally resilient future. By integrating battery storage into our data infrastructure, we are not only reducing our carbon footprint but also showcasing how energy utilities can lead in sustainable innovation,” said Njenga at the company's headquarters.
KenGen emphasised that beyond powering the MDC, the storage system enhances grid stability, improves energy independence, and ensures backup during outages. The initiative serves as a model for how utilities can align renewable energy investments with digital transformation.
The utility noted that the initiative goes beyond a simple infrastructure upgrade. It provides improved grid stability, enhances energy independence, increases cost efficiencies, and offers seamless backup power.
The facility is expected to support the company’s internal operations and serve as a model for leveraging renewable storage technologies in meeting the growing demand for computing and connectivity.
“This is more than a technological upgrade,” Njenga added. “It is a commitment to Kenya’s green transition and to ensuring our digital economy is powered by sustainable, reliable energy.”
As the country accelerates its adoption of clean technologies, KenGen’s investment in BESS places the utility at the forefront of Africa’s green energy evolution.
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