The county government of Nandi is set to acquire solar panels to be distributed across all six Sub Counties to boost water supply and lighting.
Speaking while presenting the 2021/2022 budget estimates, County Executive Committee Member for Finance and Physical Planning Alfred Lagat said Sh 30million has been set aside for the acquisition of green energy. The solar energy project is geared towards promoting renewable energy as alternative source of power and boost trade. It is estimated that over 120,000 households in the county will benefit from the project by accessing clean water and solar power for domestic purposes.
Targeted areas
Some of the institutions targeted for connectivity included local learning institutions, health facilities, market and social centres as well as water distributions points. Among the water sources the County allocated the lion’s share of Sh20 million include Potopoto, Kipng’oror among other springs located in Tinderet and Nandi Hills Sub counties.
“Since last year, we have installed some solar panels in Potopoto and some parts of Mosop Sub County and we found to be much reliable and efficient compared to the electricity. This financial year, we shall have more solar panels to be put to enhance adequate distribution of water to the local schools and public facilities. The goal of this project is to provide cheap, reliable and clean energy to power public installations and later markets and villages not connected to the national power grid,” said Lagat.
Devolved governments are increasingly shifting to solar-powered streetlights to cut down electricity bills. In February this year, Kenya Power disconnected power from the governor’s administration block and major water pump which supply clean water to Kapsabet municipality and its environs over accumulated bills amounting to millions.
