Kenya Vision 2030 envisions an improved economic growth of 10% per annum by the year 2015. This growth will be supported by three pillars: Political, Social and Economic. Electricity consumption has a strong correlation to the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and therefore a multiplier effect on the economic pillar. Thus the country requires to plan for its electricity requirement to achieve the envisaged high GDP growth rate.
Over the years, the Government of Kenya through the Ministry of Energy & Petroleum has undertaken long term electricity planning through annual 20 year rolling Least Cost Power Development Plan (LCPDP). The plan is categorised into three key areas;
- Load forecasting – Encompasses review of load forecast assumptions, pertinent variables, historical data set and methodology, taking cognizance of the future macro-economy;
- Generation Planning – Involves review and update of the power system simulation data including committed generation projects, candidate plant types, capital and operational costs and system constraints to ensure system expansion is optimal.
- Transmission Planning - Involves power system simulations to ensure optimal transmission system expansion and a stable power system.