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{
    "id": 1590206,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1590206/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 136,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Nakuru Town East, UDA",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. David Gikaria",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "during the feasibility study, which is the possibility of Mandera being supplied with electricity through a proposed cross-border high voltage transmission line from Ethiopia. Deliberations have been initiated with the Ethiopian Electric Power on the possibility of connectivity. Once the studies are complete and the projects are deemed feasible, the Ministry will embark on the process of sourcing for financing. The second question was on the immediate and long-term measures the Government is putting into place to ensure residents of the North Eastern region access reliable and affordable power. The response is as follows: The Ministry is cognisant of the suffering of the residents of the North Eastern region. The overall target of the Ministry is to connect every Kenyan to the national grid. To this effect, the Ministry has been proactive in offering alternative solutions through distributed sources like solar home systems mini-grids. Tables 2 and 3 show the off-grid solutions to the three areas under the solar PV mini-grids and the diesel stations. To actualise those plans, the Ministry needs more funding as most of the projects are pending under the implementation stage. For example, in the 2024/2025 Financial Year, the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC) was allocated Ksh400 million for operational activities while the budgeted maintenance cost was Ksh300 million. However, the maintenance cost budget was reduced by 60 per cent. Hence, the actual budget availed for maintenance was only Ksh120 million. The major cost of operation of the off-grid station is procurement of fuel as the average annual cost is Ksh7 billion. A description of items and the cost of off-grid fuel, diesel, operational costs for staff and equipment maintenance are provided. It is noteworthy that over time, the demands of areas served by the mini-grids and diesel stations have been growing and require upgrade. REREC has proposed to upgrade 27 mini- grids at an estimated cost of Ksh1,214,000,000. The hybridisation of 20 diesel stations at an estimated cost of Ksh7 billion for counties in Northern Kenya is demonstrated. On the other hand, Kenya Power needs an additional Ksh1,553,000,000 for off-grid stations as annexed in Annexures 4, 5 and 6. The third question was on the Government’s plans to address the gap in provision of power in the region, including alternatives for provision of off-grid solar access. The response is as follows: The Ministry is undertaking a vigorous exercise of power provision in the North Eastern region through the Kenya Off-Grid Solar Access Programme at an approximate cost of Ksh5.66 billion. The Kenya Off-Grid Solar Access Programme has the following key components: US$ 40 million for mini-grids for community facilities, US$48 million for a stand-alone solar system, US$40 million for a stand-alone solar system and solar water pumps for community facilities."
}