Copper theft causing additional grief to Kenya’s power utilities
Kenya, Nairobi: Kenya’s Energy Principal Secretary Alex Wachira has condemned the continued vandalism of transformers by copper thieves in the country.
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Kenya, Nairobi: Kenya’s Energy Principal Secretary Alex Wachira has condemned the continued vandalism of transformers by copper thieves in the country.
Wachira says that the country’s power utility Kenya Power suffers an average of 20 transformers damaged on a weekly basis. This has undoubtedly reflected badly on the company’s operations.
According to a press release, Wachira wants Kenya’s Parliament to adopt laws that would “push unscrupulous dealers off the market by imposing heavy fines and sentences to those found involved in the illegal trade.”
In addition to the security troubles, Wachira announced the forthcoming commissioning of the Ethiopia-Kenya transmission line. The additional megawatts of power to the national grid will help stabilise the country’s power supply, he added.
In addition, he called for the search for alternative sources of energy, emphasising geothermal power generation as a promising solution for ensuring a reliable power supply. Geothermal resources in Kenya are located within the Rift Valley, with an estimated capacity potential of 7,000–10,000 MW over 14 prospective sites.
Kenya plans to invest in thermal sources and fully transition to green renewable energy generation by 2030.
Source: ESI Africa
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