Energy Cabinet Secretary Charles Keter has saved Kenyans an imminent Ksh1 billion monthly bill after fast-tracking the completion of a power distribution project.
According to an agreement in the Lake Turkana Wind Power Project, power consumers would foot a monthly fine of Ksh1 billion if the government failed to link the plant to the national grid by September 2018.
The project faced a myriad of challenges including securing finances that threatened to throw the timely completion plan of the course and consequently see the Ksh1 billion monthly fine added to the bills as per the government's commitment.
However, efforts by the Energy ministry have ensured a timely completion of the transmission line with the project expected to inject 310 megawatts into the national grid by Saturday.
Speaking during the final tests on the power line that will evacuate electricity to the grid, CS Keter noted: "Consumers will have better quality power due to an additional 310 MW to the grid. It is also part of our larger plan to gradually reduce reliance on expensive thermal power."
Other than eliminating the fines, electricity from the wind park is expected to be three times cheaper than diesel-generated electricity.
Costing Ksh8.7 per unit, the power will retail at a similar price range as geothermal power although it's worth noting that the overall pricing for the consumer bills is an average of the total cost of the power generated.
Delays in building the 428-kilometre power line from Marsabit to Suswa substation in Narok hampered electricity evacuation.
Narok is the country’s main interchange for power coming from different sources, and the delay left the wind farm developers with unused power amid pressing cash needs.
To scoop back the investment, homes and businesses will pay an equivalent to Ksh0.1 per kilowatt hour (kWh) over a period of six years.
