320 KW Hydro Power Plant for Tenwek Hospital, Kenya, East Africa

by Hugh G. McKay, III, Duke Power Co, United States,
Bruce V. Rydbeck, Duke Power Co, United States,
William D. Wright, Duke Power Co, United States,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Waterpower '89

Abstract:

Due to increasing demand for medical care and growth of hospital and staff facilities, a less costly source of electrical power was needed for the Tenwek hospital to replace the diesel generators which had been used for years. The hospital, located in the highlands of Kenya, Africa is near Tenwek Falls, a 14 meter waterfall on the Nyangores River. This river and waterfall offered the opportunity to install a small hydro electric power station in lieu of more diesel electric power generators. The $800,000 (US) project was designed by missionary and volunteer engineers, and built by local community labor. During the first year of operation, the hydro power station saved Tenwek Hospital approximately $125,000 (US) that would have been spent on fuel for diesel electric generation. The project is expected to pay for itself in 8 to 10 years, allowing the hospital to use the approximately $125,000 (US) per year savings on expanded health care services.

Subject Headings: Power plants | Hydro power | Health care facilities | Electric power | Project management | Petroleum | Rivers and streams | Africa | Kenya | United States

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