Imports of cheaper power from Ethiopia to start in November

Kenya Power acting Chief Executive Geoffrey Muli. [File, Standard]

Kenya is set to start importing cheaper electricity from Ethiopia in November following the signing of a contract earlier this week between Kenya Power and Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP).

The move could see Kenya reduce reliance on costly thermal power plants that are called on whenever generation from cheaper plants such as hydro is not adequate to meet demand. The country expects to initially import some 200 megawatts (MW) and then scale up to 400MW within three years.