President William Ruto Wednesday witnessed the signing of 20 contracts worth Sh10 billion between private contractors, Kenya Power and the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation.
This will be for the development of 113 solar-powered mini-grids and 343 stand alone solar systems for public facilities in underserved counties.
The contracts will be executed as part of the USD 150 million World Bank-financed Kenya Off-Grid Solar Access Project for Underserved Counties (KOSAP).
KOSAP is a partnership between the Government of Kenya and the World Bank, implemented by the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum, Kenya Power, and REREC.
Its objective is to improve access to modern energy services to residents of Turkana, Marsabit, Samburu, Isiolo, Mandera, Wajir, Garissa, Tana River, Lamu, Kilifi, Kwale, Narok, West Pokot and Taita Taveta counties.
Ruto witnessed the signing of 14 contracts worth Sh9.4 billion for the development of 113 solar-power mini-grids in 12 counties and six contracts for the installation of stand alone solar systems in 343 public schools, health facilities and administrative offices in 13 Counties worth Sh438 million.
These installations will provide access to electricity services to spur socio-economic development and improve the quality of life in the target counties.
Presiding over the ceremony at Stima Club, Nairobi, Ruto reaffirmed the government’s commitment to achieving universal access to electricity and clean cooking solutions, in alignment with Kenya’s Vision 2030 and the Kenya National Electrification Strategy.
“These contracts demonstrate our commitment to leaving no Kenyan behind in our efforts to attain universal access to electricity.
By harnessing solar energy, we are providing a sustainable and cost-effective solution that will power underserved communities, stimulate economic growth, and improve livelihoods,” Ruto said
He highlighted the successful partnership with the World Bank, noting its contribution to increasing the country’s electricity access rate from 29 percent in 2013 to the current 75 percent.
He emphasized the importance of connectivity projects in achieving Kenya’s Vision 2030 and the Kenya National Electrification Strategy.
The KOSAP initiative focuses on several key areas including Mini-grid Development, Construction of solar-powered mini-grids to provide electricity to communities that are currently off-grid, Solar Home Systems which will be facilitated the sale of 178,598 stand-alone solar home systems to individual households, therefore providing electricity to an estimated 900,000 people.
There is also promotion and distribution of clean cooking stoves, with over 12,486 verified sales, improving indoor air quality and reducing reliance on traditional fuels. administrative offices and I nstallation of solar-powered water pumps for community boreholes, ensuring access to clean water.
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