New plant ends power cuts in Coast Province

By Philip Mwakio

Residents of Coast Province will get relief from power rationing, after the injection of an additional 51 megawatts (MW) of electricity into the national grid by Rabai Power Station.

The Independent Power Producer (IPP) will be using both diesel and steam turbines to generate the power.

This is expected to slightly reduce the cost of power for consumers.

"This is very commendable because the project managers identified with the challenges we are facing and accelerated work so that we enjoy power from the station earlier than planned," said Energy Minister Kiraitu Murungi.

His comments were in a speech read on his behalf by Assistant Minister Charles Keter, during an inspection and commssioning of the new power plant at Rabai, in Kaloleni District. It was initially to start production in December. It is projected that by the first week of next month, the emergency power (140 MW) being provided by Aggreko Limited, will enable the Kenya Power and Lighting Company Limited to end the national reationing programme.

Murungi said that while Coast Province will enjoy uninterrupted power supply, the rest of the country including Nairobi, Mt Kenya, Central Rift, North Rift and Western Kenya will soon see normal supply resume.

New sources from Mumias Sugar Company, Iberafrica and KenGen’s wind turbines at Ngong increased the power supply available.