Kenya now ranks eighth in Geothermal Producing countries after President Uhuru Kenyatta launched the 140 Megawatt Power Plant in Olkaria, Naivasha.
Geothermal has therefore overtaken hydro and thermal production in the country, as introduction of 140MW interprets to a direct drop in electricity prices by 30 percent.
The power plant has enabled Kenya to increase its energy production, producing an excess of 2300 MW that are fed into the National grid.
In addition the fuel charge will now cost lower, which will automatically translate to cheaper power bills, ensuring that cheap power should be availed to residents.
However, despite the President’s promise, the power bills remain high.
“Despite the promise to reduce tariffs in December, power bills are still extremely high,” says Elizabeth Mwihaki, a Naivasha resident.
Mwihaki cites that her November bill is Sh4,000 up from the Sh1,500 she paid before.
Another resident, Eunice Munyi cites that her bill is Sh10,000 up from the normal Sh3,500.
“We have tried to complain on the issue but none has been corrected, we are still paying hefty bills,” she adds.
Earlier on, Energy Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir said that power production had risen from 1,600MW to 2,350MW, superseding the current demand of 2,000 MW by the country.
He added that they were targeting to produce 3,700 MW in the next 18 months, revealing that a total of Sh82.77 billion had been invested in the project.