- The Kenyan government consents to the energy mix.
- The Kisumu solar photovoltaic facility commences construction in Kenya.
The government of Kenya is set to diversify its electricity mix. It has approved the construction of a 40MWp solar photovoltaic power plant.
The project has an approximate cost of USD 53.6 million and will be implemented by Ergon Solair Africa. The Kisumu power plant is expected to be operational by December 2023. Electricity will be offered for sale for 7.5 US cents per kWh. A 220 kV substation next to the site will be used to link the solar project to the national grid.
The construction of the Kisumu solar PV facility coincides with the signing of a 25-year power purchase agreement between the state-owned firms Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) and Kenya Power. The two businesses’ energy collaboration aims to export renewable electricity produced in Ethiopia to Kenya. Kenya will purchase up to 200 MW of capacity under the deal’s conditions by 2025.
As a result of the project, about 610 000 people in the western county will have access to clean and affordable energy.