Xago Africa to construct Kenya’s first solar plant, storage battery

BY  BERNICE

Tapping on renewable energy has been a key drive that fosters Kenya’s economic growth, and this has attributed to a litany of heavy investments in the renewable energy sector.

Kenya is set to receive its first solar energy and storage battery, a move that has been projected to guarantee an unceasing supply of electricity in neighborhoods.

Xago Africa is winding up feasibility studies and will construct the solar plant and its energy storage battery. “They are at the feasibility studies stage. The back-up technology is quite welcome and positions Kenya as a regional solar energy hub,” Mr. Isaac Kiiva, Director of Renewable Energy, Ministry of Energy.

Located in Siaya County, the solar plant which costs sh.7.2 billion will generate about 40 megawatts of solar power. Backed up with the solar energy storage battery, the solar plant will ensure a continuous supply of electricity even during winter and will thereafter be connected to the national grid.

According to Mr. Isaac, the solar development comes at a time when African states are venturing into renewable energy, hence uplifting Kenya’s status as a nation diligent on leveraging on green energy resources. He said the ministry is contemplating diversifying clean energy sources and incorporating technology to store solar power on a large scale.

Solar power has been a key source of cheap and clean energy in Kenya.

Xago Africa will construct the solar park in conjunction with Solar City. The former will oversee installation of solar panels awhile the latter will facilitate the installation of solar energy storage battery. Xago Africa has a number of solar and hydro projects in the pipeline including in Zambia where it is developing plans for a utility scale photovoltaic plant under its joint venture with local partner Blue Chip Resources.