In recent years, the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative has strengthened connectivity. It is promoted economic growth, and deepened cultural exchanges with countries participating in the Belt and Road construction. The Belt and Road Initiative is a path of peaceful cooperation and inclusive development, adhering to the principles of consultation, joint construction, and shared benefits. It takes into full consideration the needs and interests of participating countries. Through improvements in infrastructure connectivity, it has promoted the development of participating countries in areas such as infrastructure construction, trade, and the economy. Photovoltaic Power Stations in Kenya
PV Power Stations Benefit Thousands of Households In Kenya
In Garissa County, northeastern Kenya, the Garissa Photovoltaic Power Station, the largest in East Africa, constructed by a Chinese company.This power plant effectively solves the local power shortage problem. It continues to provide clean electricity to local residents, injecting green energy into Kenya’s development.Chinese Companies Build Photovoltaic Power Stations in Kenya!
Electricity shortages have long been a major obstacle to Kenya’s economic development, and the country has yet to achieve universal electrification. Hydroelectric power is an important source of electricity in Kenya. But the supply is highly unstable due to the alternating rainy and dry seasons.
At the same time, Kenya has enormous solar power generation potential. Data from the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority of Kenya shows that the country’s solar power generation potential is about 15,000 megawatts. The large-scale photovoltaic power stations can effectively address local power supply shortages. The Garissa Photovoltaic Power Station, funded by a loan from the China Export-Import Bank and implemented by a consortium of China Jiangxi International Economic and Technical Cooperation Co., Ltd. and JinkoSolar Holding Co., Ltd., is under construction by the Kenyan Ministry of Energy.
It is understood that the power station has an installed capacity of 54.66 megawatts, which can meet the electricity needs of more than 380,000 people in a total of 70,000 households. Hanningtongochi, an expert from the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation of Kenya, said that the Garissa Photovoltaic Power Station has been connected to the national grid of Kenya. It gradually improving the production and life of the people in the northern region of the country.
“We used to experience frequent power outages, and sometimes we could only generate electricity with diesel generators at a high cost,” said Elizabeth Wanjiku, a resident of Garissa County who runs a small restaurant. “With stable and low-cost electricity, places like Garissa can develop industry and commerce better, providing more job opportunities for local people.” Elizabeth’s restaurant now extends its operating hours from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. With the photovoltaic power station, we no longer worry about power outages. With extended hours, income naturally increases. Like Wanjiku, local farmer Harunjaya attributes the improvement in his quality of life to the continuous and stable power supply. “Now my farm relies on electricity to pump water for irrigation, saving time and labor compared to manually carrying water. Thanks to the photovoltaic power station, the size of my farm has been increasing year by year.” Jaya did the math, and with the photovoltaic power station, he can save hundreds of dollars on electricity bills every month.
For cooperation between China and Africa in the field of photovoltaic industry, Liu Yichao, the project manager of the Garissa Solar Energy Project at China Jiangxi International Economic and Technical Cooperation Co., Ltd., is full of confidence. He said that photovoltaic power station projects have a short construction period and large installed capacity. And it can quickly address local electricity shortages. Helping Africa develop green energy and benefiting African people is one of the missions of Chinese companies entering Africa.
George Aluru, Chairman of the Kenya Power Sector Association, said that in the field of renewable energy, China has abundant experience and advanced technical equipment, while Kenya has rich renewable energy resources. The cooperation between the two sides will inject momentum into green development in Kenya and even Africa.