By: OrePulse

Kenya Power is close to completing two infrastructure projects that will, for the first time, connect Lodwar — the commercial hub of Turkana County in northern Kenya — to the country's national electricity grid.

The undertaking includes a 66/11kV substation in Lodwar, paired with a 90-kilometer 66kV transmission line running from Lokichar to Lodwar. The Kenyan government is funding the combined project, totaling roughly KSh1.01 billion (approximately $7.8 million).

Currently, more than 80,000 Lodwar residents rely on diesel-powered generators run by Kenya Power for electricity. This setup costs the utility around KSh900 million annually in fuel expenses. These generators often fall short in hot weather, causing frequent service interruptions and power rationing for households and businesses in the area.

Once the grid connection becomes operational, it's expected to bring more consistent and dependable electricity to the region, in turn supporting economic activity across a range of sectors — including livestock trading, tourism, agriculture and mining. The improved power supply is also anticipated to benefit schools, healthcare centers, local businesses and telecommunications infrastructure throughout the county.

Kenya Power managing director Joseph Siror said the financial logic clearly favors switching to grid power over continuing to rely on diesel, explaining that the cost of building the transmission line between Lokichar and Lodwar is roughly equivalent to what the utility currently spends fueling generators in a single year. Put simply, the approximately $7.8 million invested in this infrastructure is comparable to just one year's worth of diesel expenses for the area—after which the utility anticipates ongoing cost savings.

The benefits extend beyond just financial savings. Moving away from diesel-based power generation is also expected to help cut environmental emissions in the region. Additionally, it should make it considerably easier for hospitals and clinics across Turkana County to maintain reliable storage conditions for vaccines and other temperature-sensitive medical supplies—a persistent challenge stemming from the inconsistent power previously provided by generators.

This connection to Lodwar extends Kenya's national power grid into one of the country's more remote counties—an area that, until now, has depended on off-grid diesel generation because of its considerable distance from existing transmission infrastructure.