The government of Kenya has announced plans to shut down a diesel power plant in Lodwar. President William Ruto revealed the plans and said the move targets an expansion on the national grid and investing in solar power, taking advantage of the region’s abundant sunlight.
The diesel power plant which has been the main power source for the remote northern town, will be phased out within a year. To support this transition, Kenya will allocate about US $7Bn to build 100 kilometers of high-voltage transmission lines and a new substation in the northern region.
Currently, Kenya Power spends over US $33M annually on fuel for off-grid diesel stations, consuming more than 22 million liters of diesel. The shift to renewable energy is expected to reduce costs and support the country’s climate goals. Additionally, an eight-megawatt solar project is under development to further decrease reliance on fossil fuels.
READ: Kenya launches water project in Busia County
KOSAP
This initiative is part of the Kenya Off-Grid Solar Access Project (KOSAP), launched in 2019 with funding from the World Bank. The project aims to provide renewable energy access to over 400,000 households in 14 underserved counties through mini-grids and solar home systems.
Kenya is already a leader in renewable energy, with more than 90% of its electricity coming from geothermal, hydro, and wind sources. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), Kenya’s solar power sector is expected to grow at an annual rate of 28% between 2025 and 2027, outpacing wind energy expansion.