ERC to allow counties to run power projects

Counties will soon be able to license power projects, the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has said.

The regulator said it is revising the Energy Bill 2015 to enable it delegate the commissioning of power projects below 10 megawatts to county governments by as early as next year.

This is expected to facilitate investments in the sector to enable quick actualisation of projects under joint ventures and public-private partnerships.

“Several counties have shown great potential in renewable energy, with many investors expressing interest in developing such projects,” ERC Director General John Ng’ang’a said. He was speaking at an investors’ forum organised by Council of Governors Chairman Peter Munya

“Devolving these responsibilities will boost capacity building in the sector, as well as meet the high demand for power in the country.”

Meru and counties in northern Kenya have already been earmarked as having high potential for wind, solar and hydro power projects.

Mr Ng’ang’a said many counties have initiated small hydro power projects that are not funded by the Government, with its only participation being licensing. However, this sometimes takes long, delaying projects and eroding investor confidence.