Kenya Launches Tender For 40 MW Floating Solar Plant

• KenGen is seeking consultants for a floating solar power plant with 40 MW installed capacity in Kenya
• It is planned to be located on the Kamburu Hydropower Reservoir, adjacent to a 40 MW ground-mounted PV project KenGen is building 
• Project financing is planned to be sought from the KfW, World Bank, AFD or other financiers 

The Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) has invited consultants to help explore the feasibility of a floating solar power plant with close to 40 MW installed capacity. The project is supported by the German Development Bank (KfW). 

The 40 MW floating solar plant is proposed to be located on the Kamburu Hydropower Plant Reservoir in Kenya. KenGen is also building a 40 MW ground-mounted utility-scale pilot solar PV project within the Seven Forks Cascade, adjacent to the Kamburu Hydropower Station. 

It follows a pre-feasibility study carried out by KenGen in 2020 for floating solar on 3 hydropower reservoirs—Kamburu, Turkwel and Kiambere—that recommended a 40 MW floating PV project on Kamburu dam. The research picked Kamburu citing minimal water level variation, less design complication, good infrastructure, lower O&M costs and lower permitting costs as it will be owned by KenGen. 

KenGen says the project is intended to help it contribute to climate change mitigation, increase the share of renewable energy capacity in Kenya and diversify energy resources. 

The broad scope of work involves assessing the technical, financial, environmental and social feasibility of the project. It should be detailed enough to form a basis for project financing and to initiate power purchase agreement (PPA) negotiations, according to the tender document. Project financing may be sought from the KfW, World Bank, AFD or other financiers.  

The consultancy contract needs to be completed within 8 months. Interested consultants can submit their applications until December 15, 2023. Details are available on KenGen's website.  

Operating under the Government of Kenya, KenGen's current portfolio is dominated by hydropower and geothermal. It aims to invest in solar PV going by its declining capital costs and technological advancements. 

In August 2023, Kenya Power and Lighting Company invited bids for solar mini-grids in 8 counties (see Kenya's State Utility Launches Solar Tender).