Charles Keter, Cabinet Secretary Energy has announced the drop in power tariffs to nine US cents per kilowatt-hour in support of the manufacturing sector.
Speaking during a private sector and government manufacturing meeting, a follow-up to the eighth Presidential Roundtable, Mr Keter said the government has also decided not to license thermal power plants or renew licenses for contracts due for expiration. The aim of this decision is to maintain low electricity tariffs.
The power deficit left by thermal power producers will be provided by 310 MW from Turkana Wind plant, 400 MW of hydropower from Ethiopia and 55 MW from Garissa solar plant which will be added to the national grid according to CS Keter.
“All that will displace the thermal power plant because there is no need to say we are giving you power at 9 cents but that power does not last,” Mr Keter stated.
On other matters in the manufacturing sector, Adan Mohamed, Cabinet Secretary Industrialization, Trade and Enterprise Development said the government has released Sh1 billion owed to maize millers for supplies in 2017. He also said another amount of Sh2.8 billion will be paid in June.
In addition, Mr Mohamed said President Uhuru will gazette the Presidential Investment Council by June, a body whose role will involve improving the manufacturing sector.
