5,000MW power plan on course

By NIKKO TANUI

Kenya: The Government says the programme to add 5,000 megawatts to the national power grid is on course.

Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir said last September, the Government commenced an ambitious 40-month power generation expansion programme aimed at bringing down the cost of energy by 40 per cent.

Speaking during the launch of one megawatt solar generation project at George Williamson Tea Estate in Konoin constituency within Bomet County, Mr Chirchir said the national programme involves several projects in geothermal, liquefied natural gas, coal, wind, hydro and solar.

He added that programme also involves putting in place associated transmission facilities to address the distribution of the generated power.

Chirchir said the private sector was expected to play a key role in the programme.

The Cabinet Secretary said in an effort to encourage accelerated investment in renewable energy development, his ministry formulated the feed-in-tariffs policy on wind, solar, geothermal, biomass, and small hydro-power systems.

Under this policy, Kenya Power is supposed to sign power purchase agreements with investors.

“The policy aims to attract private sector investments in electricity generation from renewable energy sources,” said Chirchir.

He said solar energy was abundant in the county and his ministry had been leading in the deployment of the same by installing solar photolvoltaic systems in buildings that are remote from national grid.

Speaking during the same function, Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto said the county had potential in green power that needs to be exploited.