Lodwar town and its environs are set for a major power shift after Kenya Power announced that a Sh1.01 billion project to connect the area to the national electricity grid is nearing completion.
The project will mark the first time since independence that Lodwar will be connected to the national grid, ending decades of reliance on diesel-powered generators.
Kenya Power is constructing a 66/11kV substation in Lodwar and a 90-kilometre 66kV power line linking Lokichar to Lodwar.
The two projects are funded by the government and are expected to provide stable and reliable electricity to more than 80,000 residents once completed.
Kenya Power Managing Director Joseph Siror said the project would provide residents with a more reliable source of electricity while supporting their livelihoods.
“Connecting this town to the grid means that the residents here will enjoy stable and reliable electricity to power their livelihoods,” Siror said.
For years, Lodwar has relied on diesel generators to meet its electricity needs.
Kenya Power says it spends about Sh900 million every year on diesel to run the generators, which have also struggled with frequent breakdowns and power rationing due to the high temperatures in Turkana.
Siror said the cost of extending the power line and building the substation was almost equivalent to what the company currently spends on diesel in one year.
“The cost of extending the power line from Lokichar to Lodwar, is almost the same as what we are currently using to fuel the generators in a year,” he said.
The new connection is expected to reduce the cost of supplying electricity while also eliminating emissions from the diesel generators.
Beyond households, Kenya Power expects the improved power supply to support businesses and industries in Turkana.
The company said reliable electricity could boost livestock trade, tourism, agribusiness and mining, creating more opportunities and jobs for residents.
Schools, hospitals, ICT hubs and small businesses are also expected to benefit from a more reliable power supply.
For hospitals, the improved electricity supply is expected to support the storage of vaccines and other essential medical supplies, while students could have more reliable lighting for studying.
The project comes as Lodwar continues to grow as the commercial centre of Turkana County, increasing demand for reliable electricity.
Once completed, the national-grid connection will therefore not only change how Lodwar gets its electricity but could also reduce the cost of powering the town and create room for further economic growth in Turkana.
