Lodwar town set to tap 66kV and light up business environment

The government is accelerating the completion of the 66kV power line extension from Lokichar to Lodwar to ensure full power supply in the town.

Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi stated that this development is crucial to addressing the current power inadequacy in the region and will serve as a short-term solution to meet the town’s peak demand and supply reserves.

This comes amid procurement scandals in the sector, and a cash crunch that has forced the government to cut spending to focus on urgent matters. Wandayi emphasized that linking Lodwar to the national grid through this extension project is a priority.

“The Ministry is working to complete the project for the extension of a 66kV power line from Lokichar to Lodwar, which will connect Lodwar to the national grid,” said Wandayi.

Tender to be awarded

The tender for the project has already been issued and evaluated, and it is expected to be awarded soon. This step will facilitate Lodwar’s access to reliable electricity, which is crucial for both social development and economic transformation.

Currently, Lodwar relies on an off-grid power generation station comprising five generators with a combined installed capacity of 3.94 MW. However, due to high ambient temperatures, the effective available capacity is less than this figure, falling short of the town’s maximum demand of 3.2 MW.

A recent breakdown of one of the generators, which had a capacity of 1.25 MW, has further exacerbated the power supply issue, resulting in load shedding of approximately 1.1 MW during evening peak periods.

In response to this challenge, inspections on the faulty generator began immediately after the breakdown, with repair reports expected by the end of the day.

This initiative underscores a commitment to provide stable and adequate electricity, which is not only essential for daily life but also serves as a catalyst for the region’s economic growth and development.