The Coast Water Services Board is planning to use solar energy as their main power to pump water
The firms have decided so because of huge power bills they are currently paying to Kenya Power
The board is targeting to supply enough water to Coast residents without hindrances from electricity bills. Currently Coast residents are getting limited supply of water, with a 20 litres jerican selling at Sh100.
The board has received a boast for their move to replace electricity with solar energy, after more than 10 firms expressed their interest to carry out the project.
"We have decided to look for alternative power which is pocket friendly and we found the use of the sun's energy is best. Currently, we are in the process of shortlisting suitable firms who have shown interest" said Jacob Torutt, the parastatal's chief executive officer, as quoted by Daily Nation
Mr. Torutt also lamented on an unreliable power supply by Kenya Power. He said it hinders them from pumping enough water for supply, which results to shortage of the commodity.
Earlier in February, Kenya Power cut off electricity supply to Baricho Waterworks in Malindi, which is the main reservoir for the Coast region, for Sh60 million electricity bill