Kenya is stepping up its renewable energy efforts with a newly announced solar-plus-storage project, aiming to enhance energy security and grid stability in a region heavily reliant on hydropower. The country’s main electricity producer, Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen), has opened a tender seeking up to seven qualified firms to deliver a 42.5 MW solar plant paired with a minimum 3 MW/4.5 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS). The deadline for applications is set for July 29, 2025.
The project, dubbed the Seven Forks Solar Power Project, will be situated roughly 150 kilometers northeast of Nairobi, near the Kamburu reservoir. This location is no coincidence — it lies within the Seven Forks Cascade, a cluster of hydroelectric facilities that together contribute around 600 MW to Kenya’s national grid. The integration of solar and battery storage in this hydropower-dominated zone is a strategic move, aimed at diversifying the energy mix and mitigating the impacts of seasonal water level fluctuations on electricity generation.
In addition to the solar and storage components, the scope of work includes the design, supply, and construction of a high-voltage substation and a new transmission line. This infrastructure is expected to support reliable energy dispatch and help accommodate Kenya’s growing electricity demand, particularly in rural and peri-urban regions.
The project enjoys international financial backing, with the French Development Agency (AFD) confirming a funding commitment as of August 2024. This external support not only underlines confidence in Kenya’s renewable energy roadmap but also reflects the broader global push for sustainable infrastructure in sub-Saharan Africa.
Kenya’s solar capacity has remained relatively static, at 369 MW by the end of 2024 — the same level reported in 2023, according to data from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). The new Seven Forks project, along with other initiatives such as the two 40 MW solar tenders launched in early 2025 by local consultancy Apex for Kajiado and Makueni counties, signals renewed momentum for solar deployment.
While hydropower has traditionally underpinned Kenya’s clean energy credentials, the growing interest in hybrid solutions that blend solar with storage marks a pivotal shift. With climate variability posing increasing risks to water-dependent power generation, integrating BESS technology provides a buffer against supply instability and opens the door for greater renewable penetration.
This tender also reflects a broader regional trend: East African nations are increasingly turning to distributed and resilient renewable systems to power future development. For Kenya, the Seven Forks project is more than just an infrastructure upgrade — it’s a strategic step toward a cleaner, more reliable, and self-sufficient energy future.
