Electricity consumption hits new high, driven by 400,000 new connections

WANGARI NDIRANGU-KNA

Electricity demand has reached a new peak driven by new customer connections and increased consumption of grid power during the ongoing cold season.

Data from Kenya Power’s National Control Centre shows that peak demand surged twice in July, with a record high of 2,362.28 MW being registered.

Peak demand — the highest level of electricity consumption recorded at the National Control Centre — rose to 2,325 MW, surpassing the previous peak of 2,316 MW recorded in February 2025.

Kenya Power’s Managing Director and CEO, Dr. Eng. Joseph Siror, said Kenya Power expects the momentum to continue as the company rolls out more connectivity projects across the country.

“The new peak demand is a testament to our commitment to drive national electricity access through the deployment of various electrification projects.

When we analyze our electricity dispatch data, we observe that demand has risen by 46 MW over the last five months, since February, when we recorded the year’s first peak,” he explained.

During the last financial year, which ended on June 30, 2025, Kenya Power connected a total of 401,848 new customers.

In addition to new connections, the increased demand is also attributed to the cold season, which has led to higher electricity use for heating homes and offices. Eng. Siror added that the company is at various stages of implementing last-mile connectivity projects commissioned across the country.

In addition to these projects, the company is also carrying out other connectivity projects targeting various customer categories, including commercial and industrial consumers.