The country’s annual power demand is rising by between 100mw to 120mw due to industrial expansion, increased urbanization and rising domestic energy use, the energy ministry has said.
According to Energy Principal Secretary Alex Wachira, the government has committed to working round the clock to ensure demand is not outstripping power supply or generation capacity.
While visiting Olkaria I which is currently undergoing rehabilitation, Wachira revealed that the government has embarked on tapping extra energy mainly from geothermal into the national grid in the coming years including 63 megawatts (MW) by next year.
The move comes a couple of days after the Cabinet approved the construction of Olkaria VII Geothermal Power that will pump an extra 80.3MW into the national grid. Olkaria is expected to be ready for full commissioning by September 2026.
“We have seen increased demand over the last couple of years which is growing close to 100 to 120 megawatts per year,” he said.
Wachira said that the power plant which is the oldest was initially producing 45MW but once fully rehabilitated this would rise to 63MW.
“The project is about 76pc complete, at a cost of Ksh 15.6 billion and the contractor will be able to meet the timelines that we have set, because we urgently need power,” he said.
He added that the government was working on another 70MW from Menengai as part of phasing out thermal power by 2030.
Flanked by senior officers from Kengen, the PS said that plans were underway for the construction of Olkaria VI and VII, while seeking more geothermal energy from Suswa and Silali areas.
Wachira admitted that the government was facing challenges in funding the construction of the power plants but was quick to note that they were engaging some financiers.
“Once we bring on board cheaper power, then that is going to translate into our bills, and most important, also to our environment, to ensure that the environment remains green,” he said.
He at the same time raised concern over vandalism targeting electricity equipment mainly transformers adding that this was affecting electricity transmission.
The PS challenged security agencies to deal with those responsible adding that they would continue with the crackdown targeting all those involved.
“We are having serious cases of vandalism across the country, mostly of our transformers and we will continue the vigilance to ensure that our installations are not vandalized,” he said.
