Kenyan govt unveils $47mln Off-Grid Solar Access Project in 14 counties
- Country:
- Kenya
The government of Kenya has unveiled a facility worth USD 47 million under the Kenya-Off-Grid Solar Access Project. It is intended at encouraging the private sector to provide viable solar and clean cooking solutions to about 1.1 million people in the 14 marginalized counties of West Pokot, Turkana, Marsabit, Samburu, Isiolo, Mandera, Wajir, Garrisa, Tana River, Lamu, Kilifi, Kwale, Taita Taveta and Narok.
“The country has made great strides in achieving connectivity with access to electricity standing at 75% through both grid and off-grid options. However, access to electricity is low in the 14 marginalized counties, which represent 72 percent of the country’s total land area and 20 percent of the population. The dispersed settlements in the marginalized counties make off-grid solutions the only viable alternative for access to electricity,” Dr Eng. Joseph Njoroge, Principal Secretary, Ministry of Energy opined, as reported by Capital Business (Capital FM).
The Results-Based Financing (RBF) and Debt Facilities under the Kenya-Off-Grid Solar Access Project (KOSAP) are financed by the World Bank and implemented by the Ministry of Energy alongside the Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) and the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC).
“The World Bank is committed to supporting the Government of Kenya in achieving the universal access goal laid out in the Kenya National Electrification Strategy and is partnering with the Government to ensure that nobody in the target counties is left behind in accessing modern energy services,” Patrick Thaddayos Balla, World Bank K-OSAP Task Team Leader cited.
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