State mulls ways to cut rising cost of electricity
By People Team, December 8, 2020Reuben Mwambingu and John Otini
A multi-agency team will soon come up with a solution to the high cost of electricity which has increased inflation and cost of doing business in the country.
The energy sector which has been under intense pressure by consumers is seeking for a solution to enable the country utilise available resources in the most efficient way.
Kenya Power Managing Director Bernard Ngugi while denying claims that the utility is against the growing shift to solar systems by its clients, defended current power tariff, saying Kenyans must understand that the company also a customer.
He said the firm buys power from generators and the cost of such purchases is determined by Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA).
“Kenyans need to know that as Kenya Power we do buy power and sell at the rates set by the regulator.
Kenyans need to know that we do not set our prices, we do not generate electricity but we buy and sell at regulated prices set by EPRA,” explained the Kenya Power boss.
Speaking to Business Hub in Mombasa over the weekend, Ngugi said even Kenya Power is considering going solar. “…that is where we are headed because the trend is going to solar.
We are not going to be left behind at all because we want to go to where the world is trending,” he added.
Recently, Head of the President’s Delivery Unit, Nzioka Waita said the government has embarked on major changes in the energy sector that will include a reshuffle of Kenya Power’s management.
Kenya has the third most expensive power prices in Africa, according to globalpetroleumprices.com.
Pressure to tackle the high cost of electricity has seen Kenya’s energy regulator consider ratings based on power consumption to enhance savings.
Efficient appliances
Through postings on its official social media platforms EPRA) has meanwhile called upon consumers to use energy saving implements by checking star-rated air conditioners, fridges, freezers and induction motors to help consumers choose energy efficient appliances.
“When you’re shopping for a new appliance, look for the Kenya Energy Label, the red and green tag you will see attached to refrigerators and air conditioners.
It tells how much energy an appliance uses and makes it easier to compare the energy use of similar models,” it says.
According to EPRA, the star rating is expected to help shape consumer behaviour and reduce dumping of inefficient electronics.
Itsays the more the stars on the label the more energy efficient an appliance is, the less it costs to run, and the lower your utility bills.
Electronics retailers, however, say the impact on what consumers buy will not be immediate as consumers put more emphasis on price and whether the brand is genuine.
“We don’t think it will affect choices of consumer purchases at the moment,” said Jeff Menge of BestBuy Electronics in Nairobi.
For instance, on refrigerators, the energy consumption is conveyed in KW/h per year.
This tells you the number of units the fridge consumes per year, where 1KW/h equal one unit on your power bills.