A Kenyan firm has been picked by an American trade agency to conduct the feasibility study on a US-backed renewable project. Photo/the-star.co.keA Kenyan firm has been picked by an American trade agency to conduct the feasibility study on a US-backed renewable project to develop five river-based hydroelectric power plants in Kenya.
In a statement The United States Trade Development Agency (USTDA) said it had provided an undisclosed amount of funding to Saigrene Energy Kenya Limited in grant form for the study that would eventually lead to the development of run-of-river hydroelectric plants at five unnamed sites in Kenya.Lida Fitts the USTDA regional director for sub-Saharan Africa said, “USTDA is pleased to support this important study that will provide opportunities for US industry to supply products and services while advancing Kenya’s power goals". The study would evaluate the viability of the sites for power generation and examine “the best approach” for connecting the sites to Kenya’s national grid ,said the agency.The five plants are expected to collectively add about 17 megawatts of renewable energy to Kenya’s generation mix, added the US agency.The study is expected to pave the way for US equipment manufacturers and service providers to outfit the hydroelectric plants.Chief executive at Saigrene Energy Kenya Limited Paulo Gonçalves further said “In addition to providing opportunities for the use of high quality US equipment and expertise, the plants will also provide numerous benefits to the local community, such as job creation, and technical skills training for the youth".Knight Piésold (Denver, CO), The US engineering and environmental consultancy, was selected to offer advice on the technical details of the proposed projects.As part of Power Africa in Kenya In September, the US government announced support for six renewable energy projects. Power Africa an initiative launched by former US President Barack Obama in 2013 to develop reliable, affordable, and sustainable power in Africa. During a US-Africa Business Forum held in New York and attended by Kenya’s deputy President-elect William Ruto was when the deals were signed and this would see the firms develop solar, wind, hydro, gas and geothermal stations adding to the country’s diversified power mix. Which included the development of 10-megawatt hydropower at Gitaru.