Hydroelectricity
PSECC Ltd – Lapsset Corridor Energy & Water Strategy coordinators
Grand Falls Dam
The Grand Falls Dam also known as the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam will be included in the funding for Lapsset Corridor, is rated at approximately 6,450 megawatts (MW). This means that the dam has the capacity to generate a maximum of 6,450 MW of electricity when operating at full capacity. This makes it one of the largest hydropower projects in Africa.
The Grand Falls Dam is a hydropower project constructed on the Blue Nile River in Ethiopia, not Kenya. The dam is primarily designed for electricity generation rather than water storage. It has a reservoir that fills up with water from the Blue Nile, a river that carries mostly freshwater from the Ethiopian highlands. So, while the primary purpose of the dam is not to store fresh water for drinking or irrigation, the reservoir created behind the dam does contain freshwater from the river. This water can be used for various purposes, but its main function is to generate hydroelectric power.
According to the latest available data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics and the Ministry of Energy, the current hydroelectricity production in Kenya stands at around 820 Megawatts (MW). This includes electricity generated from various hydroelectric power plants such as Sondu-Miriu (60 MW), Turkwel Gorge (105 MW), Kindaruma (72 MW), Gitaru (225 MW), and others. Kenya aims to increase its hydroelectricity production capacity through ongoing projects such as the 83 MW Olkaria V geothermal project and the 47 MW Masinga Dam rehabilitation project.
The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), also known as the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, is located on the Blue Nile River in Ethiopia and is not within the LAPSSET (Lamu Port-Southern Sudan-Ethiopia Transport) corridor. As we have have seen the LAPSSET corridor is a regional infrastructure project that aims to connect Kenya, South Sudan, and Ethiopia through a network of road, rail, pipeline, and communication links to facilitate regional trade and development. While the GERD is not directly part of the LAPSSET corridor, it could potentially benefit from enhanced regional connectivity once the LAPSSET project is fully operational, as it could facilitate the export of electricity generated by the dam to neighbouring countries in the region.
Construction of High Grand Falls dam on River Tana in Kenya is yet to begin four years after GBM Engineering Consortium won the tender to finance, design, build, operate, and transfer the Sh250 billion dam. The hiring of the London-based company in September 2018 followed a decision by the Public Procurement Administrative Review Board (PPRB), a state agency that resolves tender disputes, to uphold the award of the contract to the firm. GBM Engineering won the deal in a tendering process featuring seven companies (five of them Chinese), but the National Irrigation Board (NIB) declined to accept its win.
High Grand Falls Dam, the water reservoir will be built off Kibuka Falls on River Tana – straddling Kitui and Tharaka Nithi counties.
5.6 billion cubic metres
The dam, which was conceived in 2009, covers 165 sq km and will hold 5.6 billion cubic metres of water that will nourish the Lamu Port and resort city while adding nearly 700MW to the national power grid. This makes it the largest water storage facility in the country.
The lifespan of pumped hydro storage (PHS) and battery storage systems is indeed different, and I’ll break it down for you:
Pumped Hydro Storage (PHS):
Typically designed to last 40 to 50 years, with some systems operating for up to 60 years.
The main components, such as the turbines, pumps, and pipes, are designed to be long-lasting and can withstand the rigors of repeated cycling.
The energy storage capacity of PHS is often measured in gigawatt-hours (GWh), making it a scalable solution for large-scale energy storage needs.
Battery Storage Systems:
Typically designed to last 10 to 15 years, although some systems may have a shorter lifespan depending on the technology and usage patterns.
Lithium-ion batteries, which are commonly used in grid-scale energy storage applications, have a relatively shorter lifespan compared to other technologies like flow batteries or sodium-ion batteries.
The energy storage capacity of battery storage systems is often measured in megawatt-hours (MWh), making them suitable for smaller-scale energy storage needs.
Now, let’s discuss the advantages of both technologies:
Pumped Hydro Storage (PHS) Advantages:
Long lifespan: PHS systems can operate for decades with minimal maintenance, making them a reliable choice for long-term energy storage needs.
Scalability: PHS can be scaled up to meet large-scale energy storage needs, making it suitable for utility-scale applications.
Low operating costs: Once constructed, PHS systems have relatively low operating costs, as they don’t require frequent replacement of components like batteries.
High round-trip efficiency: PHS systems have a high round-trip efficiency, typically above 70%, meaning that most of the energy stored can be recovered and used.
Battery Storage Systems Advantages:
Flexibility: Battery storage systems can be designed to meet specific energy storage needs, from small-scale residential applications to large-scale utility-scale applications.
Quick deployment: Battery storage systems can be deployed quickly, allowing for rapid response to changing energy demands.
Low capital costs: While battery storage systems may require more frequent replacements than PHS, the upfront capital costs are often lower than those associated with building a PHS facility.
Grid stabilization: Battery storage systems can provide rapid frequency response and voltage support to stabilize the grid, which is essential for ensuring reliable power supply.
In summary, while both technologies have their strengths and weaknesses, PHS is better suited for large-scale energy storage needs with a long lifespan, whereas battery storage systems are more suitable for smaller-scale applications with faster deployment times.
Ministry Dam projects for Kenya
PPP Dam project structure
Isiolo Dam 16MW
Isiolo Dam
Project Information
The proposed Isiolo Dam project within the Lapsset Corridor is located near Isiolo town in central Kenya. Isiolo town is 274 kilometres from Nairobi City. The project involves construction of a dam located at the border of Isiolo, Samburu and Laikipia Counties at Oldonyiro on Ewaso Nyiro River. The primary goal of the project is to increase daily water supply for domestic/industrial use by 58,473m3/d and provide 46,656m3/d to irrigate up to 540Ha. The demand area includes the proposed Isiolo Resort City. During the concession period, the proposed project will include the building, commissioning, operation, and maintenance of a minimum 315 MCM water storage reservoir and 58,473m3/d WTP. Additionally, the project will construct storage reservoirs, transmission and distribution pipelines including last mile connectivity, and conveyance for irrigation water to the user point. An option for hydropower generation is included.
High Density Pumped Hydro
| Type of Plant | Average Cost (US$ million) |
|---|---|
| 20MW Hydroelectricity Dam | 50-100 million |
| 20MW Pumped Hydro Plant | 80-100 million |
| 20MW High Density Pumped Hydro Plant | 90 million |