KPLC’s Plan To Set Up Electric Charging Stations To Start September 2022

The Kenya Power and Lighting Company will from September, start constructing electric charging systems for homes, businesses, and the public across the country as the shift to clean energy for transport gathers momentum.

The power company is seeking a firm to build an E-mobility Network Infrastructure System (ENIS) in Nairobi and Nakuru to pilot the charging stations.

Kenya joins the rest of the world in pushing for clean mobility to reduce environmental pollution from fossil fuels, placing Kenya Power at the centre of the shift due to the need for electricity supplies for motorists.

Kenya Power has floated tenders inviting bidders who will build the infrastructure that will allow customers to pay via M-Pesa and credit similarly as in traditional fueling stations.

Clean mobility is picking up faster in Kenya with several companies already on board and piloting electric-powered vehicles, forcing the state utility to be at the centre given the need for electricity supplies.

Lack of charging infrastructure for electric automobiles is one of the biggest stumbling blocks standing in the way of Kenya’s shift to clean mobility, prompting the move by KPLC to seek a firm to build the system countrywide.

Kenya is at a critical point and is racing against time to catch up with the rest of the world and be part of the shift to clean mobility in efforts to reduce environmental pollution. The European Commission wants to ban the sale of diesel and petrol-powered vehicles by 2035, signaling a global shift that is prompting Kenya to set the ground for its e-mobility.

“Kenya Power intends to implement an E-mobility Network Infrastructure System. The system is meant to ensure that e-mobility customers in Kenya can be served in a seamless manner countrywide where Kenya Power has grid presence.”

Diesel and petrol-powered transport are estimated to account for a quarter of the global greenhouse emissions. Clean energy transport solutions are key to reversing the negative effects of climate change.

Opibus, which converts diesel and petrol vehicles and motorcycle engines into electric and Kiri, the manufacturer of electric motorbikes, are among Kenyan-based firms leading the shift to e-mobility.

BasiGo plans to roll out more buses after successfully piloting of two 25-seater electric buses on two routes within Nairobi since March. KPLC says it has enough power to charge 50,000 buses and two million motorcycles during off-peak hours giving confidence to firms that have launched electric-powered automobiles.

Piloting of the electric-charging network will take 6 months from September setting the stage for a countrywide roll-out that Kenya Power says will take between 18 months to 2 years.

Article By Sally Lizwa