Mombasa, KENYA: Kenya’s leading power producer, KenGen, on Monday announced that it is turning to innovation to enhance efficiencies and increase productivity as it seeks to roll out power generation projects worth sh. 1 Trillion over the next decade.
KenGen, which produces more than 70 % of the power consumed in the country, seeks to explore innovative concepts that will transform its approach to power generation with a view to consolidating its position as the market leader while increasing shareholder value and minimizing its carbon footprint.
Speaking during the official opening of the 6th edition of the company’s 2018 Good-to-Great (G2G) Global innovation Seminar in Mombasa, KenGen Managing Director and CEO, Mrs. Rebecca Miano, said innovation was critical as the company sought to boost energy production.
“To drive this agenda, we have launched Communities of Practice and Innovation (COPI) across all the business areas to provide avenues for employees to present their ideas. These COPI forums ensure the idea funnel is fed every quarter from every area of the business, with peers giving feedback and enabling ownership of the ideas.” She said.
She added that KenGen would establish a research lab to add value to the ideas received from employees as well as identify ways to improve power generation capacity.
KenGen currently produces 1,631MW of power from various sources which include hydropower generation, geothermal energy and thermal energy. The firm is now turning to hitherto unexplored energy sources that include wind and solar energy to both complement the other sources and provide clean and reliable energy to the country.
KenGen Board Chairman, Mr. Joshua Choge said the company was focussing on clean and renewable energy.
“KenGen is on course to developing an additional 720MW by 2020, ensuring the current suppressed demand improves. By improving the ratio of renewable and sustainable power in the country through diversification, we ensure the provision of affordable power and minimize our carbon footprint so that we can bequeath our sons and daughters a healthy planet.” Said Mr. Choge
The G2G Innovation seminar, which was first held in the year 2012, brings together 500 KenGen employees and local and international stakeholders to deliberate and discuss innovative ideas through which the organization can enhance its value proposition and service offering as it continues to execute its mandate and core objectives.
The theme of this year’s seminar is:“Fostering Partnerships for Infrastructure and Industrialization”.
It is through these seminars that the concept of a geothermal spa was conceived. Other concepts that have been hatched through the seminars include the establishment of a KenGen industrial park whose development plans are at advanced stage.
Once completed, the Olkaria industrial park will see industries set up shop in the area, while enjoying uninterrupted power supply at concessionary rates.
The five-day event brings together KenGen employees from six business areas and local and international stakeholders to exchange practical ideas on innovation and continuous improvement; an endeavor aimed at making KenGen a great company that can stand the test of time in a highly competitive industry.
