Kenya Power to hand out 3.3m energy-saving bulbs

By Macharia Kamau

Electricity distributor Kenya Power will in the coming months distribute for free 3.3 million energy saving bulbs to one million of its customers at a cost of Sh1.3 billion.

The project — which is expected to reduce domestic customers’ power consumption by 130 megawatts during peak hours — is also expected to be a revenue source for Kenya Power as it seeks to get a share of the rapidly growing carbon trade industry.

The project has already been registered as a Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) project, and the firm is set to sell the Certified Emission Reductions (CERs) generated by the project. Large firms from developed markets that are heavy polluters buy the carbon credits to offset their emissions.

The project is financed jointly by the Government and the French Development Agency (AFD) and is scheduled to start later this year.

“The project ... entails replacement of ordinary bulbs (incandescent lamps) with compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs),” said Kenya Power in a statement. “Selected target customers for the project include low-income households and Kenya Power’s StimaLoan (revolving fund) customers in various parts of the country, who will get a maximum of four bulbs.”

The firm said the project will also help to lower power bills for customers.

“Reduction of peak demand will consequently mitigate climate change through reduction of greenhouse gas emissions,” it added.

This year’s exercise will be implemented as the second phase of the company’s 2010 “Badilisha Bulb” campaign.

Kenya Power entered into a contract with Standard Bank Plc in 2010 to develop the CDM project and buy the CERs.

The project is already registered and the revenue expected from the sale of the CERs will be used to replenish the revolving fund to enhance access to electricity in the country.