Relief for Kenyans as the energy regulators reduced electricity prices by 3.8% for February, due to declining global crude oil prices which have lowered the cost of producing thermal power.
According to Kenya Power, the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (Epra) has decreased the fuel cost charge from KES 7.18 per unit in January to KES 6.59 per unit in February.
Additionally, Epra has reduced the foreign exchange rate fluctuation adjustment from KES 1.93 to KES 1.85 with the latest monthly adjustment of power prices.
The slight drop in electricity prices means that lifeline customers enjoying the cheapest electricity tariff, who bought 48.86 kWh of power for KES 1,000 last month will pay KES 963 to buy the same amount of electricity, a reduction of KES 37.
While only a marginal reduction, it will be a reprieve for consumers who have been experiencing frequent monthly raises of electricity prices on high global fuel prices and a weak shilling.
Global crude oil prices have however eased in recent months, enabling thermal power producers to procure fuel at a cheaper cost, which has translated to a cut in power costs this month.
The landed cost of petrol fell by 6.19 per cent per cubic metre in December, that of diesel reduced by 11.08 per cent and kerosene by 4.07 per cent for the same quantity.
Read also; Pain for Kenyans as Kenya Power Seeks to Raise Electricity Tariffs by 117%.
