Kenya's electricity company plans to convert its fleet to electric drive

The energy supplier has announced plans to remove combustion engine vehicles and motorcycles from its fleet in favor of electric vehicles. According to Kenya Power's Deputy Managing Director, Geoffrey Muli, the move is part of a growing trend in the East African economy to take advantage of the abundant supply of renewable electricity and shift vehicle engines from fossil fuels to electric power. The company will phase out its gasoline and diesel vehicles by retrofitting electric motors and purchasing new electric vehicles.

"Charging electric vehicles, especially at night, would thus help close the gap between available generation capacities during off-peak hours and raise the average demand to over 1,500 MW," Muli explained.

Kenya has an installed power generation capacity of 3,321 megawatts (MW) with a peak demand of 2,132 MW and an off-peak demand of about 1,100 MW.

Switching in four years very optimistic

The state-owned energy supply company allocated 40 million Kenyan shillings (equivalent to approximately 300,000 euros) in the fiscal year 2022 for the acquisition of three electric vehicles, including two pick-ups and an all-terrain vehicle, on a pilot basis. Part of the money was also used for the construction of three charging stations in Nairobi, which are available to the company and serve demonstration purposes.

Geoffrey Muli explained that the company would also purchase 50 long-range electric bicycles in the medium term, as part of its larger plan to phase out fuel-powered motorcycles in its fleet.

“Kenya Power intends to significantly reduce its CO₂ footprint by purchasing more e-vehicles in the near future, including two- and three-wheeled vehicles. We must do our part to combat global warming by advocating for climate protection measures such as the introduction of electric engines," Muli said.