KenGen Hosts Five-Day Global Innovation Seminar

Africa’s top energy generating company, KenGen, is currently developing an Energy Research and Development Laboratory in Tana County. The purpose of the project is to test new ideas in a cost-effective manner. This announcement was made during the company's 7th Global Innovation Seminar that attracted international exhibitors. The seminar is currently being held at the Kenya School of Government in Kabete, Kiambu. The five-day Innovation seminar which commenced on Monday 17th June is expected to end on Friday. Energy Cabinet Secretary, Charles Keter who is the chief guest at the event said KenGen had done a commendable job through its annual seminars which started in 2012. Keter also noted that the Innovative Geothermal Well Head Technology which was piloted by KenGen has internationalized KenGen’s capability. Currently, KenGen have been outsourced by Ethiopia and Djibouti to help in geothermal drilling services. Kenya’s energy sector is a true reflection of how Innovation in renewable energy can bear fruits. Currently, Kenya has achieved 75% electricity access across the country with over 85% of electricity in Kenya's energy mix being derived from renewable sources. The Energy CS has also challenged KenGen to develop grid and off-grid solutions with particular focus on local biogas solutions for the energy market. The Energy CS also reiterated the importance of the industrial park as a way of growing energy demand in the country.  The demand is projected to reach 7,200MW by 2030 indicating that the country would have achieved a high GDP per capita. He also noted that the government was on track to achieve universal access by 2022. Keter also promised that the Government would continue to work with KenGen in order to enable them actualize its objectives. Speaking at the seminar, KenGen's Managing Director and CEO, Rebecca Miano said that the company had registered KenGen Energy Services Ltd, as a subsidiary firm whose work would be to commercialize non-generating revenue streams. This is because of the growing and maturing commercial opportunities from innovation in the energy sector such as: selling drinking water that would be derived from the recent commissioned Gitaru Water Plant; Transformer manufacturing and Solar cell manufacture; Battery and Gas Turbine Grid Stabilisation in western region; Solar Grid Tie and Fire Suppression projects in Kipevu. The CEO also opined that the informed business decision are due to the dynamic operating environment in the energy sector.  With regards to the Olkaria V power plant, she said that KenGen anticipated to make revenue from various projects including the geothermal Spa and setting up manufacturing facilities. KenGen Board Chairman, Mr. Joshua Choge also said KenGen’s institutionalised innovation culture had propelled the company towards achieving competitive sustainability for the firm. In his speech he stated that: “This culture has actually ushered us into high levels of success. So far, the company has received 251 innovation proposals, with 143 of them being approved. Out of these, 34 innovations have been implemented. We have also made considerable steps towards securing these innovations. So far the company has registered 12 Trademarks, 10 Copyrights and made 34 Patent Applications,” Futhermore, he also said that KenGen was planning to extend an invitation to members of the public for purpose of sharing innovative ideas with the company. “In order to fully explore and benefit from new innovative ideas, we have opened doors to members of the public to share their ideas with us. Already, we have in place a digital open innovation platform known as ‘Beyond’. Through this platform, we will be able to go beyond our internal resources to tap into value creation ideas,” he added.