Kenya Revives High Grand Falls Dam Project Amid Growing Hydropower Initiatives

The Kenyan government is drafting a new development plan for the Ksh 337 billion High Grand Falls Dam, aiming to revive a project halted in July 2025. The dam, to be located on the Tana River, is expected to generate 500 megawatts of electricity and provide significant irrigation resources. A meeting with key stakeholders, including KenGen and the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority, is scheduled to outline the project's framework. The initiative follows Ethiopia's inauguration of Africa’s largest dam and seeks to strengthen Kenya's hydropower capacity and overall energy strategy.

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Published Sep 22, 2025

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The Kenyan government is taking significant steps to revive the High Grand Falls Dam project, a Ksh 337 billion initiative that was abruptly terminated in July 2025. The Ministry of Energy, alongside KenGen and the Kenya Power and Lighting Company, is currently drafting a new development plan, reflecting an ambitious commitment to enhance the nation’s energy portfolio. This renewed focus comes in the wake of Ethiopia inaugurating Africa’s largest dam, underscoring the competitive need for robust hydropower infrastructure in the region.

In a recent statement, Energy Principal Secretary Chris Wachira announced plans to convene a meeting with key stakeholders, including KenGen and the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), within two weeks. The aim is to establish a clear framework for the High Grand Falls Dam, which is strategically positioned along the Tana River and is projected to generate an initial output of 500 megawatts of electricity, alongside providing over 5,600 million cubic meters of irrigation water.

The project faced cancellation due to unspecified unmet requirements identified by the Public Private Partnership (PPP) Directorate of the National Treasury. GBM Limited from the United Kingdom was initially contracted for the construction. While Wachira did not disclose the specific requirements that led to the project's termination, the PPP Directorate authorized the reopening of the bidding process, allowing for renewed interest in the project.

With a long-term goal of ramping up hydropower generation to 1,000 megawatts, the High Grand Falls Dam is poised to play a pivotal role in bolstering the share of hydropower in Kenya's national grid. Currently, the estimated cost of power generated from the dam is projected at Ksh 0.08 per kilowatt-hour, a figure that may decrease with the new development plan. Hydropower, averaging Ksh 3.83 per kilowatt-hour, remains the most economical energy source domestically, outpacing imported and geothermal options.

In the first half of this year, hydropower accounted for 21.8% of the 6,478.72 GWh generated locally, marking it as the second-largest source of electricity, while geothermal energy led the grid with 44.04%. The revival of the High Grand Falls Dam could significantly enhance Kenya's energy landscape, contributing to a sustainable and economically viable future for electricity generation.