The Kenya Electricity Generating Company PLC (KenGen) has taken a major step towards strengthening its digital infrastructure with the commissioning of a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS. This new system provides uninterrupted renewable energy to KenGen’s modular data center and is part of the company’s overall strategy to promote green energy as it grows its digital operations.
The 1.16 megawatt-hour (MWh) BESS will power KenGen’s 52-kilowatt Modular Data Center (MDC) located at its Nairobi headquarters. The MDC has 356 U-spaces and will house KenGen’s growing digital infrastructure needs including high-performance computing, cloud services and data storage.
What is a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)
At its core a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) is a large-scale rechargeable battery that stores energy generated from renewable sources like solar or wind power. The energy is stored when it’s abundant and then released during peak demand or power outages to ensure a reliable and consistent electricity supply.
The new system at KenGen is a back-up for their Modular Data Center and provides power during low grid demand. The role of BESS is key in increasing the stability of the power grid and energy resilience as Kenya integrates more renewable energy sources.
Towards a Low Carbon Future
Speaking during the launch at the company’s Nairobi headquarters, KenGen’s Managing Director and CEO, Eng. Peter Njenga said the move is part of Kenya’s long term green energy strategy. He noted that the integration of battery storage into the data center will reduce the company’s carbon footprint and demonstrate how energy utilities can lead sustainable innovation in the industry.
"By integrating battery storage into our data infrastructure, we are not only reducing our carbon footprint but also showing how energy utilities can lead in sustainable innovation," Njenga said. This BESS is part of KenGen’s Good to Great (G2G) 2034 strategy which targets to add 500MWh of energy storage capacity over the next 10 years to create a more sustainable, digitally resilient future for Kenya.
How BESS contributes to Green Energy and Grid Stability
Battery storage technology is key to addressing the challenges of integrating renewable energy into the grid. With more reliance on solar and wind energy—both of which can be intermittent—there is need for energy storage systems that can store excess energy during off-peak hours and release it during peak demand or when renewable energy production is low.
How BESS Works: Simplified
Here’s how the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) works:
Storing Energy: When there’s extra power—especially from renewable sources like wind or solar—the BESS takes it in and stores it as chemical energy in battery cells. This happens through the movement of tiny particles, called ions, that flow between the battery’s electrodes, basically packing the energy away for later use.
Releasing Energy: When power is needed, the system flips the switch! The stored chemical energy is converted back into electricity, and the Power Conversion System (PCS) converts it from DC (Direct Current) to AC (Alternating Current). AC is what powers most things around us because it’s cheaper to generate and can be sent across long distances without losing too much energy.
BESS is More Than Just Backup Power
The new BESS at KenGen isn’t just a safety net—it brings several key benefits:
Grid Stability: BESS helps balance the power supply and demand, so there are fewer blackouts during peak hours, which is especially important when everyone is using power at the same time.
Energy Independence: With the ability to store renewable energy, KenGen isn’t dependent on external power sources. It can use the energy when it needs it most, reducing reliance on the grid.
Cost Savings: By storing energy and using it more efficiently, BESS reduces the need to buy power from the grid. This can lower operational costs, and hopefully those savings get passed on to customers.
Seamless Backup: If the grid goes down, BESS kicks in as a backup. That means critical systems, like KenGen’s data center, stay up and running even if there’s a power outage.
KenGen’s Vision for a Greener, Smarter Future
KenGen’s BESS installation isn’t just a cool new project—it’s the foundation for the future of sustainable energy in Kenya. The company’s G2G 2034 strategy envisions a future where green energy and carbon reduction are top priority, with energy utilities leading the way to a digitally resilient world. By incorporating BESS into their operations, KenGen is showing Africa how energy companies can combat climate change while meeting the demands of the digital economy.
A Sustainable and Resilient Energy Future
KenGen’s new BESS is a big step towards their low-carbon, digitally resilient future. By adding energy storage to the mix, the company is making Kenya’s power grid more stable, efficient and sustainable and leading the way in green innovation.
As the world goes green, KenGen’s Modular Data Centre and BESS is a sneak peek into what the future of energy resilience and renewable storage looks like. By reducing carbon footprints and enhancing grid stability, KenGen is helping Kenya get into a cleaner, more sustainable energy future.