Kenya’s transition to clean energy by 2030 is on course, Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi has said.
Wandayi said the government is committed to making the country energy sufficient to avoid over reliance on imported power. “We are fully committed to providing an enabling environment to investors in the nascent green energy sub-sector as a way of affording the citizenry clean, affordable, reliable, and efficient energy. This, in our view, is a steady pathway to a nationwide transition to green energy,” he said.
The Cabinet Secretary said that as a critical enabler in catalysing the national economic growth and prosperity, provision of a reliable energy was critical.
He said that as part of his strategy to inspire investor confidence in the green energy, he has petitioned the National Assembly to consider lifting the 2023 moratorium on Power Purchase Agreements (PPA).
The CS was speaking at Loiyangalani, Marsabit County, during his inaugural visit to Lake Turkana Wind Power (LTWP).
The CS appreciated Lake Turkana Wind Power’s contribution in stabilising the national energy mix. He said that with a 12% contribution to the national grid, the project significantly contributes to the stability of energy supply in the country.
“It it impressive to note that since 2018, when the firm began commercial operations, it has delivered 9.5 billion KWh of clean energy to the national grid. This is an admirable performance, and coupled with an average capacity factor of 54.7%, (perceived to be one of the highest of the wind power plants in the world), the road to a nationwide green energy is real,” he added.
Speaking at the function, LTWP Chief Executive Officer Max Schiff said the company has made tremendous progress in positively impacting lives in Marsabit County.
He said 80% of its employees are from the community. “We give preference to locals whenever a vacancy arises. This ensures that we cultivate a symbiotic working relationship besides addressing the soaring cases of unemployment in the region,” he added.
The CEO said LTWP has injected more than Shs.840 million in Corporate Social Investment projects and activities in the area. “We have invested in education, water, health, among other thematic areas with admirable results. We purpose to do much more, resources dictating,” he said.
He said the company was also making modest contributions to the country through timely payment of taxes and remissions. “We regularly and timely meet our tax obligations and remissions and have never fallen short at any given time,” he confirmed.
