Kenya Power is set to connect Lodwar town and surrounding areas to the national electricity grid for the first time since independence.
In a statement on Monday, September 14, the company said it is implementing two major electricity projects aimed at connecting Lodwar, the commercial centre of Turkana County, to the national grid.
The works involve the construction of a 66/11kV Lodwar substation and a 90-kilometre 66kV transmission line linking Lokichar to Lodwar.
Kenya Power to Connect Lodwar to National Grid in Ksh1.01 Billion Push.Photo: Courtesy.
According to Kenya Power, the two projects are being financed by the Government of Kenya at a combined cost of Ksh1.01 billion.
Once operational, the new infrastructure is expected to provide stable, clean and reliable electricity to more than 80,000 people in Lodwar and neighbouring areas.
The improved power supply will support households, schools, healthcare facilities and businesses while providing capacity for the town’s growing electricity needs.
Kenya Power Managing Director and CEO Joseph Siror said the project was particularly significant for a region that has relied on diesel generators for decades.
He described it as one of the projects the company holds very dear, noting that since independence, the people of the area and the county have depended on generators, which are not very effective especially in a region with such high temperatures, where running the machines on a 24-hour non-stop basis leads to breakdowns.
He added that connecting the town to the grid means residents will enjoy stable and reliable electricity to power their livelihoods.
At present, Lodwar and its surrounding areas are supplied using diesel-powered generators operated by Kenya Power at an estimated annual cost of Ksh900 million.
The generators have faced difficulties keeping up with rising demand, with the region’s high temperatures contributing to breakdowns and periods of power rationing.
The shift to electricity from the national grid is also expected to reduce the area’s dependence on fossil fuels and cut emissions associated with diesel generation.
Siror noted that the financial savings from moving away from diesel generation would be significant once the projects are completed.
He explained that the cost of extending the power line from Lokichar to Lodwar is almost the same as what the company currently uses to fuel the generators in a year.
He added that once the projects are complete, the savings in diesel costs for a single year will be equivalent to the cost of building both the line and the substation.
