Electricity distributor Kenya power is set to join the solar business to protect revenues.
Every business is struggling to find ways that they can protect their revenues and also remain relevant. Over the years Kenya power has not exactly had the best reputation especially with the frequent power outages and more people opting to choose solar panels.
In an attempt to protect long-term revenues the electricity company has decided to invest in the solar business and be a part of the team that has been mounting solar kits on roofs of home and business buildings.
The period when people worked from home in 2020 enlightened a number of Kenyans on how just how poor Kenya power service can actually be, the number of working hours that were interrupted probably led the move to solar which is not only cheaper but reliable as well.
The documents which were reported by the Business Daily read:
“Consumers will benefit from cheaper solar energy generated during sunny hours… The solar plants will include storage with minimum autonomy to cancel out effect of short-duration supply interruptions which has been a major cause of concern among some commercial and industrial customers,”
How will Kenya power run this new business?
Private firms will be given the work of installation and Kenya power will be responsible for looking for clients who are interested in having solar panels installed.
Kenya Power said:
“KPLC will undertake the role of project development by liaising with interested commercial and industrial customers who will provide rooftop space or ground space for installation of the PV (photovoltaic) modules,”
Other countries like Australia have seen a huge shift to solar in the last 15 years, the shift has forced Australians to invest in the business by selling batteries to store solar energy or charging fees for taking excess solar power into the grid.
The irony is that Kenya has excess power but we still have frequent blackouts and this has led to big companies like Strathmore University moving to solar panels to generate electricity.
