PHOTO | FILEEast Africa’s largest solar power plant in northern Kenya is set to add cheap power to the national grid for onward sale to homes and businesses. SHARE THIS STORY TweetThe Rural Electrification Authority (REA), which is developing the plant, has signed the power purchase agreement (PPA) with Kenya Power to sell electricity from the Sh13.7 billion solar plant at Sh12 ($0.12) per kilowatt hour (kWh) — about Sh8 cheaper than diesel-generated power. Solar experts reckon that Kenya has a high potential to generate solar energy given high radiation levels from the sun throughout the year. The State agency said solar energy offers Kenya the shortest route to lighting off-grid towns that have for long relied on expensive diesel generators to produce electricity. Kenya’s total power capacity stands at 2,333 megawatts, with solar power accounting for less than one per cent.

Source: The North Africa Journal September 29, 2016 18:56 UTC