In an effort to bring down the rising cost of electricity, the government has announced plans to phase out all thermal power plants in Kenya. The ministry of energy has announced that it will not renew the licences of all the 27 thermal power stations as a measure to ensure that electricity becomes more affordable.
Speaking in Naivasha, energy CS Charles Keter revealed the cabinet’s decision of terminating renewal of the licences of the companies which mainly use diesel to supply emergency power.
“We have 27 thermal power plants in the country. Most of them are located in far-flung areas and once their licences expire, we shall not renew them as we have enough power,” said Keter.
The government instead seeks to increase geothermal power and the National Treasury has already signed an agreement with the Japanese government for a 140 Megawatt geothermal plant in Naivasha.
Keter talked about the last-mile distribution programme noting that over 50 percent of the project is already complete. He also reiterated the government’s commitment to have all homes connected to power by 2020.
“All public schools and health centres in counties like Kiambu and Nairobi are already connected to electricity and we are committed to connecting all homes to power by 2020,” he said.
Keter was accompanied by energy principal secretary Joseph Njoroge and other leaders.