Page 10 - AfrElec Week 35 2021

AfrElec RENEWABLES AfrElec

Amotech Africa wins

GE Grid deal in Kenya

KENYA GE Grid Solutions has appointed Amotech experience GE Grid Solutions has with its global
Africa as its local distributor and channel part- presence. GE Grid Solutions is a US firm, head-
ner for Kenya in a bid to expand distribution of quartered in France.
electricity grid solutions. “With decades of expertise, Grid Solu-
Amotech Africa said the new partnership tions helps utilities and the industry at large to
would enhance its delivery of energy solution effectively manage electricity from the point
services across East Africa, as it aims to tap into of generation to the point of consumption – to
the huge potential. maximise the reliability, efficiency and security
The company said the partnership will of the grid,” the local energy solutions firm said
enhance distribution and uptake of electric grid in a statement.
solutions that allow effective management of Kenya currently has a 100% access-to-power
electricity from the point of generation to the rate in urban areas, although this falls to 65%
point of consumption. in rural areas. It has 2,800 MW of generating
“We have come a long way as a country in capacity, of which 826 MW is hydro, 828 MW is
terms of electricity generation and value chain geothermal and 749 MW is fossil fuels. It also has
management; however, there is huge potential 331 MW of wind capacity and 51 MW of solar
that is yet to be unlocked in this sector. As a key capacity. Peak demand currently stands at 1,912
player in the energy sector we are confident that MW.
through the solutions GE has to offer we will be The sector’s main problems are poor bill pay-
able to create the needed impact as we enhance ments and unpaid debts, which prevents state-
safety in the sector and contribute towards effi- owned generator KenGen and state-owned
cient electricity management,” said Amotech distributor Kenya Power from investing in new
Africa’s head of operations, Njeri Gachanja. technology, such as supplied by GE Grid.™
Amotech Africa aims to gain from the huge

P10 www. NEWSBASE .com Week 35 02•September•2021