The government of Kenya has announced plans to more than double the amount of electricity that the power producers can generate – a move that would see consumers pay dearly to support idle power.
According to the National Treasury Budget documents, the government plans to increase the country’s electricity generation capacity to 6,700MW from the current 2,819MW to enable the country to have adequate power to cater for industries as well as Kenyans, with its aim of achieving universal electricity access. The State has also earmarked coal as among the sources of power that will enable the country to grow its power generating capacity and lower the cost of electricity.
Improving system reliability
“Going forward, the government is set to boost power generation from the current 2,819MW to over 6,700MW with major energy sources being geothermal, coal, and wind, solar and hydro,” said Treasury in the draft Budget Policy Statement published this week.
To achieve the goal, 3,082.9km of additional transmission lines are set for construction, setting up of 37 transmissions and 45 distribution substations to improve system reliability and stability and reduce electricity losses.
Currently, Kenya has an installed electricity generating capacity of 2,819MW while peak demand stands at about 1,938MW, pointing to an excess capacity of about 30%. The Treasury noted that heavy investments in energy would lower the cost of energy and also enable the government to increase connectivity to cover all public facilities.
