By Macharia kamau
The new Government’s promise of electricity for all Kenyans by 2020 has caused excitement in the energy sector, with private players hoping to reap from increased power supply.
The Jubilee government has promised to expand electricity production and transform Kenya into a net exporter of energy by encouraging public private partnerships projects and creating an enabling environment for private enterprises to deliver energy projects.
Raj Devani, the director of Adra International and Jade Petroleum, said yesterday provision of electricity and construction of a new oil refinery at the Coast would boost economic growth. Adra International supplies transformers and meters to the Kenya Power, while Jade Petroleum is in the oil business and plans to roll out several petrol stations across the country.
“The distribution and transmission of power can only be achieved when the Government creates an environment for business people to provide affordable supply,” said Devani. Jade has opened its first fuel station in Eldoret and plans to have six more in major towns by the end of this year. “It is good to note that the new government is going to give low-cost loans for households to buy small renewable power systems. Revamping the current rural electrification programme to bring electricity to every village through small renewable energy projects such as solar panels and wind turbines will be a major boost to the industry and economy,” he said. The Jubilee coalition has also promised to encourage new private energy generators in the Kenyan market and increase private investment in existing state-owned companies such as KenGen, Kenya Power and the Kenya Pipeline.
The coalition plans to complete the Nairobi Transmission Ring Project and the Mombasa-Nairobi Transmission Line to ensure reliable power supply for the two largest cities.
