Nairobi,KENYA:The Energy Ministry has allayed fears that the 16% fuel levy will escalate the power bills in September, saying the Suswa -Loyangalani Wind power line is complete and will supplement the hydropower.
Appearing before the Senate energy committee led by Nyeri senator Ephraim Maina, Energy principal secretary Joseph Njoroge said the new power line will help bring down the cost of fuel given that the 310 Megawatts wind power in Marsabit is sufficient with up to 12 hours of consistent wind to cushion the base load.
Engineer Njoroge told the Committee that the power tariffs for rural electrification have significantly reduced in the month of July with the scrapping of 150 shillings fixed charges with 3.8 million customers consuming less than 10 units per month paying 17.5 shillings per unit.
Energy Regulation Commission Managing Director Pavel Oimeke said they have reduced sytem loses and commercial from 15.1% to 14% with Kenya Power expected to make up for the loss from their bottom line.
Oimeke says more Kenyans over 50% living below the poverty line are covered in the lifeline will now be paying 176 shillings for the ten units consumed in the new tariffs.
The 400kV power line is intended to evacuate the electricity generated at the Turkana Wind Power Station, to the Ketraco substation at Suswa, Narok county.
