Kenya is implementing a schedule for potential rotational blackouts to protect its power transmission network from overloading. This measure comes in response to a widespread blackout on Sunday, the third occurrence since August.
- The energy secretary, Davis Chirchir, explained that load shedding will be carried out in areas where demand exceeds the capacity of the power lines. The country is not facing a power shortage but rather a constraint in its transmission network.
- Kenya’s government has been constrained in terms of funding and has not invested adequately in upgrading its electricity transmission network. The country requires an estimated $5.3 billion to revamp the entire network.
- To address the load shedding issue, Kenya has signed loan agreements with South Korea and the African Development Bank. The funds will be used to construct a new power line in the western region, which is expected to be most affected by the planned load shedding.
- According to Alex Wachira, the energy principal secretary, the entire electricity network in Kenya needs significant revamping. This revamp is crucial to ensure a reliable and efficient power supply across the country.
- Load shedding poses a challenge for businesses and industries that rely heavily on uninterrupted power supply. The planned blackouts may disrupt operations and require businesses to implement contingency measures to mitigate the impact.
- In addition to immediate load shedding measures, Kenya needs to prioritize long-term solutions to strengthen its power transmission infrastructure. This includes securing adequate funding, investing in infrastructure upgrades, and exploring renewable energy sources for a sustainable power supply.