President William Ruto has announced plans to shut down a power plant in northern Kenya within a year as the government seeks to transition to sustainable renewable energy sources.
Speaking during the contract signing for improved electricity access via mini-grids and solar in Nairobi, Ruto revealed that plans were underway to shut down a diesel-powered grid in Lodwar as part of the government's commitment to achieving a 100 per cent clean energy grid.
According to Ruto, the government has already initiated plans to hybridise diesel with a solar photovoltaic (PV) system, and preparations are underway to install eight megawatts of solar power in the northern regions of the country, which experience prolonged sunny spells.
A diesel-powered grid in Lodwar, Turkana County, is also set to be phased out as the government intensifies efforts to replace diesel with solar-powered energy sources.