Kenya will shut down a diesel power plant in Lodwar, as part of the broader push to eliminate fossil fuels from its electricity grid.
- President William Ruto announced Wednesday that the facility, which has long powered the remote northern town, will be phased out within a year.
- In its place, the government plans to expand the national grid and invest in large-scale solar energy, capitalizing on the region’s abundant sunshine.
- The government will spend KSh 900 million for the constructing 100 kilometers of high-voltage transmission lines and a new substation in northern Kenya.
- According to Kenya Power, operating the country’s off-grid diesel stations requires over 22 million liters of fuel annually, amounting to an expenditure of more than KSh 4.3 billion.
“These projects are clear statements of intent. We are reducing our dependence on costly and polluting diesel power, cutting energy costs and enforcing our climate commitments,” President Ruto stated. Additionally, an eight-megawatt solar project is in development, expected to significantly reduce reliance on fossil fuels in the region.
This initiative is part of a broader electrification strategy under the Kenya Off-Grid Solar Access Project (KOSAP), which was launched in 2019 with funding from the World Bank. The program targets 14 out of the 47 counties to provide renewable energy access to over 400,000 households in underserved areas, primarily through mini-grid and solar home systems.
Kenya has already established itself as a leader in renewable energy, with over 90% of its electricity sourced from geothermal, hydro, and wind power. The International Energy Agency (IEA) forecasts that solar power in Kenya will grow at a faster rate than wind power, with a projected annual growth rate of 28% between 2025 and 2027.
