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"speaker_name": "Sen. Mwakulegwa",
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"content": "Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. First and foremost, let me take this opportunity to thank all contributors who have supported this Report. It has generated good discussions. From the contributions, there are new ideas which have been suggested for improvement of the sector or the industry. We will take in all you have contributed and we shall share it with the Ministry of Energy and the Geothermal Development Corporation (GDC). Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, while we know that energy will accelerate development of this country and will also attract investors to come to this country, we have heard from the contributors that out of ten investors coming to the region, eight are going elsewhere. When we make energy available, I am sure that due to our improved infrastructure, Kenya and particularly, Nairobi will be the hub in the region. Therefore, the only element which is lacking for us to truly attract investors is the availability of energy. The Government has promised that in the next 40 months, we will be able to generate 5,000 megawatts. Already from last year to this year, we have 400 megawatts already connected to the national grid; and in the next six months, we shall have another 400 megawatts connected to the national grid. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, it is also important for Senators to know that that is the reason why we are encouraging different energy product needs. From hydro, we are talking about coal. The Committee on Energy, Roads and Infrastructure has visited Kitui coal mining area. We have also had discussions and helped the Ministry to solve the impasse which was there. As we speak, the agreement has been signed between the company and the community and, therefore, we are going to have coal. We will also be fast tracking gas, solar and wind. We should also not close our eyes to nuclear energy. After we have developed all this, in the next 20 years after we have achieved our Vision 2030, then the next energy source will be nuclear energy. We have heard and we have seen many countries – I had an opportunity to go to Korea and I visited a nuclear plant – very close to the nuclear plant, where we found residential areas there and the people are comfortable. The Koreans have embraced the nuclear energy. Therefore, what the Government is doing is to encourage different product mix in the energy sector. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, in terms of funding, what the Government of Kenya was being requested by GDC to contribute was Kshs2 billion which was required by donors so that as a commitment of the Kenya Government, if they gave Kshs2 billion, the donors would have released Kshs8 billion. So, this is what we asked and recommended the Kenya Government to fast track and pay the Kshs2 billion so that the donors could release their own contribution. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, we have also recommended that Independent Power Producers (IPPs) should be approached so that where the Government cannot commit The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}