![[PHOTOS] CS Wandayi connects power to 580 households in Nyamira](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.radioafrica.digital%2Fimage%2F2025%2F02%2Fecc8670a-c0e1-4211-a381-93c12b3eefad.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
Kenya's transition to clean energy by 2030 is on course,
Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi has said.
Wandayi said the government is committed to making the
country energy sufficient to avoid over reliance on imported power.
"We are fully
committed to providing an enabling environment to investors in the nascent
green energy sub-sector as a way of affording the citizenry clean, affordable,
reliable, and efficient energy. This, in our view, is a steady pathway to a
nationwide transition to green energy," he said.
The Cabinet Secretary said that as a critical enabler in catalyzing
the national economic growth and prosperity, the provision of reliable energy was
critical.
He said that as part of his strategy to inspire investor
confidence in green energy, he has petitioned the National Assembly to
consider lifting the 2023 moratorium on Power Purchase Agreements (PPA).
The CS was speaking at Loiyangalani, Marsabit County, during
his inaugural visit to Lake Turkana Wind Power (LTWP).
The CS appreciated Lake Turkana Wind Power's contribution to
stabilising the national energy mix.
He said that with a 12% contribution to the national grid,
the project significantly contributes to the stability of the energy supply in the
country.
"It is impressive to note that since 2018, when the
firm began commercial operations, it has delivered 9.5 billion kWh of clean
energy to the national grid. This is an admirable performance, and coupled with
an average capacity factor of 54.7% (perceived to be one of the highest of the
wind power plants in the world), the road to a nationwide green energy is
real," he added.
Speaking at the function, LTWP Chief Executive Officer Max
Schiff said the company has made tremendous progress in positively impacting
lives in Marsabit County.
He said 80% of its employees are from the community.
"We give
preference to locals whenever a vacancy arises. This ensures that we cultivate
a symbiotic working relationship besides addressing the soaring cases of
unemployment in the region," he added.
The CEO said LTWP has injected more than Sh840 million in
Corporate Social Investment projects and activities in the area.
"We have
invested in education, water, health, among other thematic areas with admirable
results. We purpose to do much more, resources dictating," he said.
He said the company was also making modest contributions to
the country through the timely payment of taxes and remissions.
"We regularly and timely meet our tax obligations and
remissions and have never fallen short at any given time," he confirmed.