NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 14 – Kenya Power will invest Sh1 billion to connect Lodwar Town in Turkana County to the national grid as it seeks to replace diesel-powered generation with a more reliable electricity supply.
The utility firm is constructing a 66/11kV Lodwar substation and a 90-kilometre 66kV transmission line between Lokichar and Lodwar to connect the town and surrounding areas to the national grid.
Once completed, the project is expected to provide electricity to more than 80,000 residents, supporting homes, schools, hospitals and businesses while providing capacity for future demand.
“This is one of those projects which we hold very dear to us. Since independence, the people of this area and this county have depended on generators, which are not very effective, especially in this area where the temperatures are quite high and running the machines on a 24-hour non-stop basis leads to breakdowns,” Kenya Power Managing Director and CEO Joseph Siror said.
“Connecting this town to the grid means that the residents here will enjoy stable and reliable electricity to power their livelihoods,” he added.
Lodwar and its environs currently rely on diesel-powered generators, which Kenya Power says cost approximately Sh900 million a year to operate.
The generators have struggled to meet growing electricity demand, with the county’s high temperatures contributing to frequent breakdowns and power rationing.
“The cost of extending the power line from Lokichar to Lodwar is almost the same as what we are currently using to fuel the generators in a year,” Siror said.
“Once these projects are complete, we are looking at a situation where what we are saving just in terms of diesel costs for a year is equivalent to the cost of building the line and the substation.”
