The growing shift to solar power systems by heavy-consuming industrialists seeking reliable and cheaper supply. This has rattled electricity distributor, Kenya Power, amid thinning revenues.
The utility firm said some of its industrial customers — who account for about 54.8 percent of its sales revenues, gradually shift to own-generated solar power. Dealing a further blow to its already dwindling finances.
Kenya Power operates in a challenging environment over the financial year under review, where demand growth at 3.7 percent remained below the projected level of five percent. The dampened demand growth is compounded with the increased threats of grid defection by the industrial category as decentralized renewable energy options are becoming more available and cheaper,”
The company got some Sh63 billion (USD 575 Million) from the industrial customers who bought 4,462 Gigawatt hours in the year to June 2019, representing 45 percent of its total revenue.
The significant shift to solar power by heavy consumers has pushed Kenya Power into a more profound dilemma in the wake of excess electricity production.
Original Source