Kenya to sell extra power

Kenya plans to begin exporting surplus power to South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda by the end of 2016, the Energy and Petroleum ministry has said. 

Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir said in Nairobi that the construction of transmission lines to connect the country’s electricity grid to its neighbours’ would be completed in two years. “Any excess power will be exported to the neighbouring states that will face production deficits,” he said on Tuesday.

Mr Chirchir said that by the end of the year, Kenya’s electricity installed capacity would hit 2,300 megawatts, up from 1600MW at the beginning of 2013.

Key demand drivers for the extra electricity will be the steel and iron industries, information and communication parks as well as the standard gauge railway. The ministry will partner with the Nairobi City County government to light up the streets.

“This will accelerate the push to achieve a 24-hour economy,” Mr Chirchir said.

(Xinhua)