Kenya Power office/FILELodwar town and its environs are set to be connected to Kenya’s national electricity grid for the first time since independence, after Kenya Power nears completion of two projects worth Sh1.01 billion.
The projects involve the construction of a 66/11kV Lodwar substation and a 90-kilometre 66kV power line between Lokichar and Lodwar.
Funded by the government, the projects will connect Lodwar, the commercial hub of Turkana county, to the national grid and provide stable, clean and reliable electricity to more than 80,000 residents.
Kenya Power Managing Director and CEO Joseph Siror said the connection would mark a major change for residents who have relied on generators for their electricity supply since independence.
“This is one of those projects which we hold very dear to us. Since independence, the people of this area and this county have depended on generators, which are not very effective, especially in this area, where the temperatures are quite high and running the machines on a 24-hour non-stop basis leads to breakdowns,” Siror said.
He said connecting Lodwar to the national grid would enable residents to access stable and reliable electricity to support their livelihoods.
Currently, Lodwar town and its environs depend on diesel-powered generators operated by Kenya Power at an approximate annual cost of Sh900 million.
The company said the generators have struggled to meet the area's electricity demand, particularly because of Turkana's extreme temperatures. The challenges have resulted in frequent breakdowns and power rationing.
The new grid connection is expected to reduce the company's reliance on diesel generators and eliminate fossil fuel emissions associated with their operation.
Siror said the cost of extending the power line from Lokichar to Lodwar was almost equivalent to the amount currently spent on diesel fuel in a year.
“The cost of extending the power line from Lokichar to Lodwar is almost the same as what we are currently using to fuel the generators in a year,” he said.
Siror said once the projects were completed, the annual savings on diesel costs would be equivalent to the cost of constructing the line and substation.
Beyond improving electricity reliability, the project is expected to support economic growth in Turkana by providing the power needed for industries and businesses.
Kenya Power said sectors including livestock trade, tourism, agribusiness and mining were expected to benefit from the improved electricity supply, creating opportunities for employment among local residents.
The company also expects the connection to support social services and small businesses in Lodwar and its environs.
With more reliable electricity, children will be able to study for longer hours, while ICT hubs and small and medium-sized businesses are expected to expand their operations.
The improved power supply will also support healthcare facilities by enabling local hospitals and clinics to access vaccines and other critical medical supplies.
The projects are being implemented as Lodwar continues to expand, with the new grid connection expected to provide capacity to meet current electricity demand while preparing the town for future growth.
