Kenya Power (KP) is seeking partnership with Busia County on formulation of the Energy Master Plan.
According to the Power Supplier, this is aimed at ensuring Busia County identifies its own alternative sources of energy to add onto the National Grid.
Deputy Director for Utility Management and Consultancy at Kenya Power Christopher Maende said they want to assist counties to identify and explore alternative sources of energy.
Addressing the press after meeting officers from Energy and ICT departments in Busia, Maende said the Constitution of Kenya 2010 under the division of functions requires counties to undertake energy plans and other functions.
“We want to assist the county to develop their first energy master plan which involves building the energy profile, carrying out an assessment of the energy resources, efficiency and assessment measures, and coming up with a set of targets and vision with regard to energy within the county,” he said.
Maende noted that once this is done, counties can come up with priority projects that will enable the county bridge that gap between the baseline performance as of today and the targets as established.
He said counties are required to carry out energy resources assessment and to identify opportunities for power generation within their areas.
He added that Counties should develop specific projects either by themselves, private or National Government entities.
“If energy sources are found viable, the county can begin to generate power locally; this will create employment, enhance quality of power supplies and generate revenue.” Maende said.
He added that Western has deficit of electricity supply due to losses incurred in having power sourced from as far as Olkaria, adding that locally generated power can stabilize the system, eliminate faults in transmission lines and will be cost effective.
Others present included Chief Engineer Kenya Power Eric Wanjala, County Director Energy , Engineer McVivian Anyang’, County Electrical Engineer John Otwani and Acting ICT Director Catherine Mubweka.