Athi River power station is a 80 MW oil power plant in Athi River, Kenya. It is operated by Gulf Energy Ltd [100%]. Based on its capacity (estimated), it can supply roughly 60k homes (estimated). It ranks #21 of 34 Kenya power plants by installed capacity. Commissioned in 2014, it is around 12 years old — relatively modern. In context, oil supplies about 10.0% of Kenya's electricity; the national grid averages 95 gCO₂/kWh (90.0% low-carbon) (2025).
Plant data: WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0), id GOGPT_athiriver_kenya.
Data status
Known data
Calculated from dataset
Not available
Known, modelled and calculated values are kept separate. Missing fields are shown as unavailable.
Data provenance
Source of the capacity and fuel values:
capacity: GEM · 2026 · L100000408156; fuel: GEM GOGPT
In context: how this plant compares
At 80 MW, Athi River power station is around the median oil plant in Kenya (83.2 MW). Technically it is described as Engine. Oil-fired plants burn heavy fuel oil or diesel, usually as peaking or backup capacity on islands and grids without gas pipelines; high fuel cost keeps their utilisation low.
Capacity comparison computed from the WRI Global Power Plant Database; fuel-type context is general engineering background.
Key facts
- Share of Kenya oil capacity
- 9.7% of 828 MW across 10 plants in this dataset
- Age among peers
- 7 of 9 dated oil plants in Kenya are older
Calculated from the capacity and generation records in this dataset (WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0)).
Capacity vs largest oil plants in Kenya
Installed capacity (MW), WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0).
Owner
Operated by Gulf Energy Ltd [100%].
Climate zone & how it works
This oil plant burns oil or diesel to drive turbines or reciprocating engines. It sits in a subtropical highland climate (Köppen Cwb) — Southern Hemisphere, latitude 1.5°S — which shapes how much energy it can produce and how its output varies through the year.
Climate zone & typical temperatures: Köppen-Geiger world climate classification (Kottek et al. 2006, 0.5° grid).
Site climate & environmental severity
This site sits in a moderately corrosive environment (estimated ISO 9223 class C3 — Medium), with heat / UV the leading environmental stress.
Indicative estimate via the ISO 9223:2012 informative method (atmospheric corrosivity from temperature, time-of-wetness and airborne salinity), using WorldClim climate normals, the Köppen-Geiger class and coast distance. Indicative, not a measured corrosion rate.
How it compares & nearby plants
The #6 largest oil power plant of 10 in Kenya by capacity.
Kenya has 10 oil power plants in this dataset, together about 828 MW of capacity.
Nearby power plants
- Athi Triumph power station · Oil · 83.2 MW · Athi River
- Iberafrica I & II (Nairobi south diesel PP) · Oil · 109 MW · Nairobi Area
- Iberafrica power station · Oil · 53 MW · Nairobi
- Ngong · Wind · 36.5 MW · Kajiado
- Tana · Hydro · 20 MW · Murang'a District
- Masinga · Hydro · 40 MW · Embu
Location
Coordinates -1.453087, 37.005026 from WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0). View on OpenStreetMap.
Frequently asked questions
What type of power plant is Athi River power station?
Athi River power station is a 80 MW oil power plant in Athi River, Kenya, commissioned in 2014.
Who operates Athi River power station?
Athi River power station is operated by Gulf Energy Ltd [100%].