Kenya Power to connect one million people in 2014
Kenya Power plans to connect one million additional customers to the national grid this financial year representing 36 percent growth in its customer base, the Company’s Managing Director Dr. Ben Chumo says. Dr Chumo said the Company will build on last year’s success to accelerate the rate of connections which saw the company record 443,000 new customer connections up from 307,000 recorded the previous year.
Read more: Kenya Power to connect one million people in 2014
Kenya's Power Shortage Problem Meets Innovative Finance
A new era of electricity production and distribution is set to open in Kenya after the World Bank Board of Directors endorsed an innovative way to deploy Bank Group instruments and leverage private sector investment to help meet Kenya’s urgent power generation needs.
The Kenya Private Sector Power Generation Support Project will help bring a reliable power supply to Kenyans in their day-to-day lives, as well as to manufacturing and service companies that help the economy grow and create jobs.
In a country hard-pressed to finance such major infrastructure investments, the key was to mobilize financing from the private sector, initially hesitant to invest in the energy sector in the country. A US$166 million series of Partial Risk Guarantees was put in place to reassure commercial financiers concerned about the state-owned electricity utility and its obligations towards them.
Read more: Kenya's Power Shortage Problem Meets Innovative Finance
KENYA POWER TO ISSUE 3M ENERGY SAVING BULBS
Kenya power plans to distribute 3 million energy saving bulbs to the public before the year ends.
The development comes after the government secured funds from the French Development Agency (AFD) to aid in the procurement process.
The Sh1 billion funds received will be used to procure bulbs for low income earners.
Acting chief manager for commercial services engineer Joshua Mutua said that the bulbs are set to replace incandescent bulbs in low income households across the country and assist in reducing power consumption during peak periods.
He spoke during the disposal of 1.25 million incandescent bulbs which were replaced in 2010.
10th Energy Awards Celebrate Over Sh10 Billion in Energy Savings
Two hundred and thirty five participating companies, over 300 energy audits, 105 certified energy managers and 59 MW of energy savings translating to Sh10.2 billion. This is what the 10th Energy Management Awards (EMA) celebrated last week bringing together players to mark the major milestones in energy conservation in Kenya and the region.
It's a whole new industry that did not previously exist. Energy is a primary industrial input and a major cost factor. But a little known fact is that the cost of generating new power is more expensive than the cost of saving. For every one unit of energy saved, you save three units generated.
In Kenya, energy cost and reliability is the biggest business hurdle. We currently have a total installed energy capacity amounting to 1759 MW and there are plans to enhance the country's capacity to over 5000 MW. These plans feature a basket of energy sources that includes renewable sources and harness both old and new energy sources.
Read more: 10th Energy Awards Celebrate Over Sh10 Billion in Energy Savings
