Electricity is the backbone of Kenya’s economy. It powers industries, drives businesses, lights homes, and supports the growth of emerging sectors such as technology and renewable energy. Behind the scenes, however, the stability of our power system depends on more than just generation and distribution it also depends on how efficiently electricity is used.
One of the most critical efficiency indicators in power systems is the power factor.
What is Power Factor?
Power factor is a measure of how effectively electrical power is converted into useful work output. It is the ratio of active power (kW), which performs actual work such as running machinery, to apparent power (kVA), which is the total power supplied by the utility.
- Unity (1.0) Power Factor → 100% efficient usage, where all supplied power is converted into useful work.
- Low Power Factor (< 0.90) → Inefficient usage, where a portion of supplied power is wasted in maintaining magnetic and electric fields.
The closer the power factor is to 1.0, the more efficiently your facility uses electricity.
Why Does Power Factor Matter?
System Efficiency
A poor power factor means more current is required to deliver the same amount of useful power. This leads to higher energy losses, overloading of equipment, and reduced lifespan of electrical infrastructure.
Financial Impact
Utilities charge penalties to customers who maintain a low power factor because it strains the grid. Correcting power factor helps businesses cut down on unnecessary costs.
Grid Stability
Maintaining an acceptable power factor helps stabilize voltage levels across the grid, which is crucial for both operational reliability and renewable energy integration.
EPRA’s Regulation on Power Factor
To ensure a safe, reliable, and efficient electricity network, the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) enforces power factor requirements through the Kenya National Distribution Grid Code (March 2024).
According to this Code:
- All users must maintain a power factor of not less than 0.90 lagging.
- If users operate outside this range, the Distribution Network Service Provider (DNSP) may require installation of corrective equipment such as capacitor banks or inverter-based solutions for renewable generators.
- Persistent operation with a low power factor can result in penalties.
- Embedded renewable generators such as solar PV and wind plants must also be capable of operating within a defined power factor range and providing reactive power support when required.
Practical Solutions for Businesses
If your facility records a low power factor, corrective action is both a regulatory requirement and a cost-saving opportunity. Common solutions include:
- Capacitor banks to supply reactive power locally.
- Automatic Power Factor Correction (APFC) panels that adjust dynamically.
- Synchronous condensers for large networks.
- Inverter tuning for solar PV plants to provide reactive power support.
Our Commitment
At Your Cusum Energy we help organizations comply with EPRA’s power factor regulations while improving efficiency and reducing costs. Our services include:
- Energy audits to identify inefficiencies and measure power factor performance.
- Compliance advisory to ensure alignment with the Kenya National Distribution Grid Code.
By supporting industries, businesses, and renewable energy developers in meeting these requirements, we can collectively build a more reliable, efficient, and sustainable power system for Kenya.
Power factor is not just a technical detail it is a key performance indicator for the health of Kenya’s electricity grid. With EPRA regulations now clearly defining compliance requirements, businesses and energy developers have both a responsibility and an opportunity:
- Responsibility to operate within the set limits for the benefit of the grid.
- Opportunity to cut costs and improve efficiency through corrective measures.
At Cusum Energy, we are here to make compliance simple and impactful. Together, we can power Kenya’s future efficiently.
Contact us today to learn how we can help optimize your power factor and ensure EPRA compliance.