The County Government through the Department of Energy and Mining held a fruitful meeting with the Chief Executive Officer for Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Cooperation (REREC), Eng Fred Ishugah, when the County team paid him a courtesy visit at the KAWI House Office in Nairobi.
The Chief Officer for Mining and Energy, David Maraka said the meeting narrowed down to exploring areas of partnership and discussing strategies to improve technology in the solarisation of off-grid institutions and 38 boreholes, electrification of rural and urban centres, and establishment of cold chains within the mini-grids along the Lake Turkana.
“We acknowledge the development partnership to support the county government and look further to collaborate through a MOU.”Chief Maraka said.
He further appreciated the efforts the Corporation is making in enhancing energy access in the county through various projects.
“The development of mini-grids, extension of electricity networks, solarisation of institutions and boreholes and fast-tracking of upcoming Kenya Off-Grid Solar Access Project (KOSAP) targeting 12 rural and urban centres in the County is a big boost.” He said
The 12 centres are; Kaikor, Kanakurudio, Kibish, Kokuro, Oropoi, Nachukui, Kalokol, Lochwa, Lorengikipi, Lomunyen akwaan, Namukuse and Namorupus.
There are also over 70 standalone solar PV systems for schools and health facilities.
The CCO said the energy access will aid local provision of energy to pastoralists, who have for long been in the ‘dark’.
CEO for the Corporation, Eng Fred Ishugah, underscored the need for collaboration which, he said, is important in the journey towards an energy accessible County.
“We will work together with Turkana County in realising acceleration of energy access. We will also jointly identify and work with potential partners in the sector, going forward, keen to see residents access the energy in the entire County.” Eng. Fred said.
So far, he said, the Corporation has established robust and sustainable projects in Turkana and is in the process of finalising KEM mini-grids at Kaeris (Turkana North) and Kerio (Turkana Central) market centres. Plans are also underway to hand over 16 floodlight projects in Turkana South and East.
Present in the meeting were Eng Emase Lopetet (Ag. Director Energy, Petroleum & Mineral Resources), Dr Shadrack Kipkemoi (Senior Eng REREC), Ronald Keter (Manager, Renewable Energy), Eng Zabulon Kiplagat(REREC) and Ms Diana Khalwale (REREC).
