Raila urges China firm to take advantage of Kenya’s energy projects

China: CORD Leader Raila Odinga last evening led his Kenyan delegation to China for a meeting with HYDROCHINA Corporation Ltd at their Head Offices in Beijing,China. The Corporation, that specializes in Water Supply Systems; Sewerage Systems; Hydro, Thermal, Solar and Wind Power generation Plants was led by their President Mr. Zao Jawang; Deputy President in Charge of Africa Mr. Hu Munde and Assistant Director for International Division Ms. Zhang Lixi.

The Corporation which is ranked the No. 1 Water Infrastructure Company in the World has the technical capacity to design and construct water supply systems that can generate up to 800,000 metric tonnes of water per day and sewerage systems that can handle up to 500,000 metric tonnes per day. The corporation has operated in Kenya since 2010 mainly in undertaking wind-power projects, but has also undertaken other projects for Kenyan corporations such as KENGEN, KETRACO and Kenya Power. They are currently undertaking feasibility studies for the Isiolo and Garissa Wind Power supply as well as the Limuru wind-power supply projects.

The Kenyan team articulated their key water and power infrastructure priority areas of investment based on comparative advantage. The Chinese team expressed willingness to partner with Kenyan Counties in the identified areas based on comprehensive feasibility studies and bankable proposals. They expressed willingness to partner with Kenyan counties in undertaking the projects either on PPP,BOT OR EPC basis. The corporation stated that other than business objectives, they are keen to improve the standards of living of the Kenyan people.

While lauding Hydrochina Corporation for their willingness to partner with Kenyan Counties, Hon. Odinga reiterated that Energy is the engine that drives any economy. He went further to state that Kenya urgently needs to expand its Energy generation capacity to meet the market demand. He urged Hydrochina corporation to take advantage of the wind power generation potential in Turkana and Marsabit Counties and the Solar Energy potential of Kenyan Counties lying along the Equator.

Present were Kakamega County Governor Wycliffe Oparanya, Nyamira County Governor John Nyangarama, Siaya County Governor Cornell Rasanga, Marsabit County Deputy Governor Ali Omar Abdi and Mr. Eliud Owalo a Management Consultant.