Hundreds of families in arid and semi-arid areas in the North Rift region will soon benefit from a solar energy program.
The Kenya Power Company, in conjunction with the National Government, is planning to roll out the program that will cost over Ksh2 billion.
Under the initiative, solar panels will be installed in areas that are not connected to the National grid, so as to ensure locals also have access to power.
“We currently have an ongoing process where we have identified public utilities including schools, hospitals, and dispensaries in two of my counties that will be connected to the solar energy,” said Kenya Power North Rift regional manager Kipkemoi Kipyas.
Kipyas said Turkana and West Pokot counties will benefit from the program in the North Rift region.
Sunlight is the most abundant and available natural resource on the planet. Experts have pointed out that solar energy is one of the most promising and sustainable sources of energy.
According to the International Energy Agency, by 2024, the world’s solar power capacity could grow by 600GW.
The Kenya Power North Rift boss also noted that vandalism, theft, and other illegal connections are some of the reasons that cause power outages that are usually witnessed in the country.
Statistics indicate that the company loses more than Ksh25 billion due to theft and illegal connections of power lines every year.
