New plant to regulate power supply on Mfangano Island
KPLC workers repair a power line at Rabai station in Kaloleni. Photo/FILE
Mfangano Island on Lake Victoria is set to have regular supply of electricity upon completion of construction of a power plant by the end of this month.
Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) has spend about Sh96 million to put up the facility with a capacity of 484 kilowatts.
The electricity supplier’s spokesman Migwi Theuri said the plant is expected to be commissioned by end of August, 2010 with about 1,000 customers scheduled to benefit.
He said challenges encountered include the location.
A contractor later abandoned work forcing KPLC to terminate the deal.
“This caused the project to delay. KPLC got Warren Enterprises Ltd as another contractor to finish the work. Lack of construction materials on site made it hard to have a smooth work flow,” he said.
Almost all construction materials had to be brought to the island either from the mainland or from the surrounding isles.
Mr Theuri said lack of ready labour is another challenge the project has faced.
“For any project, it is always good to engage locals for smooth and conducive working conditions,” he said.
