KenGen has fully embarked on embracing its journey to going green as a move to counter the climate change crisis that has been so evident in recent times.
The move is part of KenGen’s green energy transition because, currently, it generates 87 percent of its power from renewables. The power giant has been earning carbon credits and with the latest initiative, he expects earnings to rise.
Making a move to transition from cars that use diesel and petrol to the use of electric vehicles, a three-year project through which KenGen has bought four electric units – two SUVs from South Korea and two double cabins from China – as the first installment to serve as the pilot phase of the initiative.
According to the company’s strategy and innovation general manager David Muthike, the firm has solemnly taken strides toward the agenda of decarbonizing Kenyan roads and the economy.
KenGen has now set up charging stations one in Ngara at its office in Nairobi and the other in Olkaria, Naivasha, with a promise to add three more stations by end of 2023.
“We will go public by installing charging stations and infrastructure in many other places so that it becomes easily accessible. The concern and risk about climate change is a clear present danger that we must take seriously and act on it,” commented Muthike.
The move is an initiative by KenGen to go green that is by converting all the company’s vehicles to be powered by electricity and then using the momentum to influence the public, beginning with the matatu sector to go green.
Muthike emphasizes that Electric Vehicles are way cheaper in terms of total ownership cost in the long run compared to petrol- and diesel-powered ones that are widely used.
“Electric cars are way faster and more efficient. Right now, you buy a liter of petrol for Sh180, but a kilowatt unit of electricity in the country is approximately Sh22, so spot the difference,” Muthike said.
Considering that for an EV, there is no bulk engine, only a battery that is charged and its other parts are largely cooling systems, adding this lowers the maintenance cost.
Kenya Ports Authority said the electric buses were shipped by BYD Automotive and belong to BasiGo, a Kenyan e-mobility startup providing electric bus solutions to PSV owners.
