Multinational electric companies are angling for opportunities presented by Kenya’s quest to go green through environment friendly initiatives such as e-mobility and renewable energy to increase their market share.
- •Schneider Electric plans to intensify its entry into the e-mobility space with standardized charging cables for electric vehicles while Chint Global recently announced setting up of meter manufacturing plant in Nairobi, its 10th overseas factory.
- •In April, Schneider announced eMobility solutions to address challenges to electric vehicle (EV) adoption, with a focus being to improve reliability, speed, and convenience of EV charging in homes, workplaces and on the move.
- •Chint Global through its smart meters plans to offer accurate billing, reduce losses, and improve the overall efficiency of energy distribution as Kenya increases the adoption of renewable energy to meet energy demands besides promoting clean environment through such alternatives.
“Decarbonizing supply is just one side of the energy coin, we need to look at both sides and tackle energy demand,” notes Ifeanyo Odoh, Schneider Electric Country President. “Transport electrification is one of the areas we are working closely with the regulators to enable its power utility companies understand the dynamics around it,” he said.
“We are engaging with the regulators on standardized charging cables for the electric vehicles and ways to reduce power loss between transmission and distribution stages,” he said.
“The new eMobility solutions means operators can now benefit from a fully integrated solution to manage their networks. This helps them maintain uptime, removing EV drivers’ concerns about charge station reliability while on the road,” said Nadège Petit, Schneider Electric’s Chief Innovation Officer
“Solutions like these are vital to addressing the biggest challenges to EV adoption, such as fast and reliable charging, and the management, control and installation of infrastructure. As demand for charging stations rises with the uptake of EVs.”
According to Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority Director General, Daniel Kiptoo the installed capacity of renewable energy sources as of June 2024 was 2,859.4 MW, accounting for 80.04 per cent of Kenya’s total installed capacity. This consists of 2,427.1 MW of interconnected renewable energy capacity and 427.7 MW of captive renewable energy capacity and this is expected to keep growing based on measures being put in place.
Specializing in advanced smart meters such as the CHD130 Single Phase DIN-Rail Meter, CHS120 Single Phase Smart Meter, and CHS320 Three Phase Smart Meter, the factory is designed to meet the diverse needs of residential and commercial customers. The factory is expected to achieve a localization rate of 30%-40% for its products, with plans to increase this rate as the facility grows.
Joy Brenda Masinde, Chairman of KPLC, highlighted the significance of CHINT’s smart meters to Kenya’s energy sector. “These meters will enable us to provide our customers with accurate billing, reduce losses, and improve the overall efficiency of our energy distribution. This is not just an investment in technology; it’s an investment in Kenya’s future.”
“The smart meters produced here will empower consumers with real-time data on their energy consumption, enabling them to make smarter choices and save money. By communicating with the power grid, these meters will also contribute to a stronger, more reliable energy infrastructure, reducing the likelihood of blackouts and ensuring a steady flow of electricity to homes and businesses.”
Chint’s 4,000 square meter factory launched in Athi River in August this year will primarily serve the local Kenyan market but is strategically positioned to supply products to the broader East African Community, including Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, Congo (DRC), and Somalia.