Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) will spend KSh.10 billion during the financial year commencing July 2023. KPLC intends to construct new substations and power lines in order to strengthen the electricity distribution network.
The Managing Director and CEO, Dr. (Eng.) Joseph Siror stated that the company is working to improve the quality and reliability of power supply to its customers.
In addition, the network expansion will provide sufficient capacity for the anticipated increase in energy demand resulting from new growth areas such as e-mobility and clean cooking.
“In the last two years, the country has witnessed an unprecedented interest from local and international stakeholders looking to invest and develop Kenya’s e-mobility sector. To adequately support e-mobility and other sectors of the economy, we will sustain investments to strengthen the grid and enhance network stability and flexibility for quality and reliable service,” said Dr. (Eng.) Joseph Siror
KPLC’s Managing Director was speaking at an event where BasiGo, was launching its 3rd electric vehicle charging station.
KPLC Keeps its Promise to E-Mobility Stakeholders
Notably, this is further proof that the power company is keeping its promise to the E-Mobility sector. Earlier in the year, Kenya Power established a liaison office to work with E-Mobility businesses.
The company promised to work with investors and stakeholders to support the development of the e-mobility ecosystem.
At the time, the company was carrying out research to inform them of the grid model needed to cater to the demands of electric vehicles on the national power infrastructure.
Kenya Power’s CEO added: “As the demand for electric vehicles continues to grow, Kenya Power will continue to prioritize generation from renewable energy sources such as solar, hydro, wind, biomass and geothermal as guided by the Least Cost Power Development Plan.”
Presently, the country has an installed capacity of 3,321MW against a peak demand of 2,132MW. During off-peak, the demand drops to about 1,100MW.
This creates a good opportunity for high-capacity electric vehicle charging which utilizes the available unused power.
KPLC notes that its grid is robust but they are enhancing the flexibility of the network to support this growing industry.
