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Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua said yesterday that the government is determined to bring down the cost of power through pragmatic solutions beneficial to the country.

Speaking when he launched the construction of the Menengai Geothermal Power Project in Nakuru County yesterday, Gachagua said the government was focused on laying down interventions that will speed up the restoration of the economy.

He said initiatives like the Menengai Power Project will rejig the economy through reduced cost of power.

“We have done this through deliberate, pragmatic interventions that are aimed at transitioning the country to green energy. We are determined to bring the cost of power down for domestic users and manufacturers,” he  said.

The Project is worth USD 145 million (Sh18 billion) and is scheduled  to be completed by May 2025.

The government through the Geothermal Development Company is partnering with international partners including Globeleq and the African Development Bank to implement the project that will see 35MW added to the national grid.

Gachagua said the project will translate to lower cost of power and ultimately reduced cost of living.

“Reduced cost of power is a catalyst to our development Pillar under manufacturing which will not only reduce the cost of production but also accelerate job creation for our unemployed population,” stated the DP.

With natural calamities such as the recent drought that heightened challenges in the energy sector, the DP said geothermal was the best option that prevent similar problems in the future.

“We ride on the fact that green energy is more reliable than fossil fuel or hydropower,” he observed.