Kenya hires Aggreko for stop-gap power supply

The government has hired Aggreko plc to provide addition emergency power to cushion the country against potential rationing.

The UK company will generate 60 megawatts of power at its plant in Embakasi, Nairobi, after it won a tender for stop-gap supplies following delays in developing cheaper power sources.

In the new tender, Aggreko quoted $13.79 per kilowatthour per month down from the old rate of $16.22.

“The new rate offers a saving of $2.43 which will be passed on to consumers,’’ said KenGen’s operations director Richard Nderitu.

The tender attracted seven firms, but only two returned the bids.

The temporary power supply is meant to bridge the period between the expiry of its initial contract this month and December when newly licensed Thika Power is expected to start generating 80 megawatts.

Kenya Power says thermal power is critical in stabilising poor voltage in the focal demand point in Nairobi.