According to the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) the country has recorded the lowest demand for electricity since 2017 post-election violence, this has been caused by the uncertainties brought forward by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The government imposed strict measures after the first case of Covid-19 was reported last month, from dusk to dawn curfew to the cessation of movement in and out of the capital Nairobi, Kilifi, Mombasa and Kwale measure which were meant to curb the spread of Covid-19.
The measure disrupted economic activities with employees choosing to temporarily lay off workers till the pandemic ends as others advised their employees to work from home, the night curfew also means that large industries us less the capacity of electricity as opposed to when they were working round the clock.
EPRA Director-General Pavel Oimeke while speaking to journalists says that there was an increase in electricity usage throughout the country before Covid-19 was announced.
“Our most recent peak demand was 1926.47 MW attained on February 19, 2020, we are seeing some drop in demand although we are still monitoring the situation.''
Kenya Power which is the sole distributor of electricity in Kenya is the hardest hit company by the reduction in electricity usage as the firm depends upon industrial and corporate power consumers for their huge revenue.
Although domestic consumption of electricity has gone up as Kenyans spend more time within their homes, the increase can not fill up the void left by industrial consumers.
According to Google traffic within social spaces went down by 45 per cent between March 8 and 29th, 2020, spelling doom to the dependants of various business ventures.
Experts warn that if the situation worsens a drop in domestic consumption may be witnessed as families will be forced to reduce the usage of electricity within various homes by switching off their appliances.
There are already projections from the government of Ksh 172 billion loss in revenue brought about by paused economic activity.
Parliament is set to debate on a supplementary budget presented by the treasury in order to provide an economic stimulus to cushion hard-hit Kenyans.
