Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) has issued a tender to design and build seven solar projects with a cumulative capacity of 42.5 MW, each featuring a battery energy storage system, in Kenya.

Bids must be submitted by July 29, 2025. Bids will open on the same day.

The scope of work includes the design and building of solar project with a 3 MW/4.5 MWh energy storage system. Bidders will also set up a 2 kV loop-in-loop out substation, transmission interconnection facilities, and related works.

They must also modify the existing Masinga and Kamburu substations and civil works, including but not limited to the perimeter wall, access roads, office blocks, and staff housing.

Bidders can be a private firm, a state-owned enterprise, an institution, or any combination of such entities, such as a joint venture, formed under an existing agreement. A firm may apply for initial selection both individually and as part of a joint venture or as a subcontractor.

The material equipment and services to be supplied under the contract and financed by Agence Française de Développement (AFD) may have their origin in any country, subject to the restrictions.

They must have experience in engineering, procurement, and construction in Sub-Saharan Africa within the last five years. Bidders must have completed at least two contracts for building and designing solar projects valued at a minimum of $22 million.

Bidders must also have experience in setting up two battery energy systems, each with a capacity of 3 MW or higher.

Bidders must have liquid assets, unencumbered real assets, lines of credit, and other financial means sufficient to meet the estimated cash flow requirements of $13 million. Their average earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA), net worth, and average liquidity ratio over the last three years must be positive.

Their minimum average annual turnover must be $1 million in the last three years.

In 2021, Kenya Power and Lighting Company invited expressions of interest from companies to finance, develop, and operate captive solar projects of capacities ranging between 500 kW and 10 MW on a lease basis for its commercial and industrial consumers.

In the same year, KTDA Power Company invited bids to develop solar projects for KTDA-managed regional power companies.