Kindaruma Hydroelectric Power Station | |
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Location of Kindaruma Hydroelectric Power Station in Kenya
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Country | Kenya |
Location | Embu County/Kitui County |
Coordinates | 00°48′38″S 37°48′46″E / 0.81056°S 37.81278°ECoordinates: 00°48′38″S 37°48′46″E / 0.81056°S 37.81278°E |
Purpose | Power |
Status | Operational |
Opening date | 1968 |
Owner(s) | Kenya Electricity Generating Company |
Dam and spillways | |
Type of dam | Embankment |
Impounds | Tana River |
Height | 24 m (79 ft) |
Length | 549 m (1,801 ft) |
Reservoir | |
Creates | Kindaruma Lake |
Total capacity | 18,300,000 m3 (14,800 acre·ft) |
Surface area | 10 km2 (3.9 sq mi) |
Power station | |
Name | Kindaruma Hydroelectric Power Station |
Coordinates | 00°48′38″S 37°48′46″E / 0.81056°S 37.81278°E |
Operator(s) | Kenya Electricity Generating Company |
Commission date | 1968/2012 |
Turbines | 3 x 24 MW Kaplan-type |
Installed capacity | 72 MW (97,000 hp) |
The Kindaruma Hydroelectric Power Station, also Kindaruma Dam is an embankment dam with two gravity dam sections on the Tana River in Kenya. It straddles the border of Embu and Machakos counties in Kenya. The primary purpose of the dam is hydroelectric power generation and it supports a 72 megawatts (97,000 hp) power station. It is Kenya's first post-independence hydroelectric power plant. It was commissioned in 1968 as part of the Seven Forks Scheme. The power station is operated by Kenya Electricity Generating Company.
Between 2007 and 2013 the power stationed underwent a rehabilitation and upgrade which increased its installed capacity from 40 MW to 72 MW. In June 2012 a third Kaplan turbine-generator, rated at 24 MW, was commissioned. In January and June 2013, the original two 20 MW Kaplan turbine-generators were upgraded to 24 MW each, respectively.