Power producer KenGen plans to collaborate with the National Oil Corporation of Kenya (NOCK) to instal electric mobility charging infrastructure at some of the latter's petrol stations.
Speaking during an e-mobility stakeholder briefing on Tuesday Mr David Muthike, KenGen’s general manager of strategy and innovation said one of the challenges facing the transition to e-mobility was charging infrastructure and where to put them.
KenGen had earlier told the Business Daily it plans to install 30 new charging stations in six towns in the next three years to add to the existing two charging stations piloted in Nairobi and Naivasha.
“We aim to roll out charging infrastructure and an issue we have noted is the space; where do we get space to put them? So we will be talking to National Oil Corporation to put charging infrastructure in some of their petrol stations,” said Mr Muthike.
“We will also be going out soon. So when you see an expression of interest from KenGen asking the public to give us space, or lease property just know it’s part of our strategy to roll out the 30 charging stations.”
NOCK is a State-owned petroleum dealer with fuel stations which are concentrated in Nairobi County.
Data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics shows that Kenya expects an electric vehicle (EV) penetration rate of 5 per cent per year for the next five to six years.
E-mobility is a critical plank in the global push to reduce pollution through the use of clean-powered vehicles that will significantly cut the reliance on diesel and super.
KenGen unveiled its first four electric vehicles to primarily be used for data collection and policy development ahead of expansion plans.
The listed company has two pilot charging stations and is in the process of installing three more.
“Three more charging stations are underway in Sondu in the Western region, Gitaru in the Eastern region and Kipevu in the coastal region, these stations are for internal use only,” added Mr Muthike.
The roll-out of the charging stations and the data-tracking EVs will guide KenGen’s transition to convert its fleet from petroleum-powered motor vehicles.
