The Cabinet Secretary for Energy Amb. Dr. Monica K. Juma, (Oxon), EGH, said that the ongoing Energy sector reforms are irreversible and the government will not relent on the implementation. The CS, who was addressing the media at the Ministry of Energy Offices, noted that her current brief is to spearhead the reforms in the sector with a sharp focus on the implementation of the recommendations of the Presidential Task Force Report on Power Purchase Agreements (PPA). The PPA Taskforce was appointed by H.E President Uhuru Kenyatta on 29th March, 2021 against the backdrop of a sustained public outcry from consumers, businesses, and individuals, about the high cost of power, especially when compared to the cost of electricity in neighboring countries and peer economies. The Taskforce’s appointment was also a recognition and acknowledgment of the risk posed by comparatively high power prices to Kenya’s ambitions of becoming a globally competitive, newly industrialized, middle-income, and prosperous country by 2030. In her address, the CS said the reforms were sector-wide and far-reaching and are being implemented in the short to medium term. The reduction in tariffs constitutes one component of the overall reform envisaged. The CS revealed that 77 Independent Power Producers (IPPs) have so far engaged with the Ministry of Energy in the ongoing effort to renegotiate power tariffs to scale down the cost of electricity in Kenya as promised by H.E President Uhuru Kenyatta. She pointed out that this exercise is not limited to KPLC only, “We are also looking at the other Semi-Autonomous Agencies (SAGAs) in the Ministry to ensure alignment Energy Sector Reforms across the ecosystem. For instance, we are moving towards mandating agencies in a manner aligned to the value chain – from prospecting to generation, transmission and distribution”, said Dr. Juma. These reforms are aimed at ensuring that the sector responds to its constitutional mandate which is to provide clean, affordable, reliable, and accessible energy. The reforms, she said, will enhance Kenya’s leadership in the path of renewable energy globally. The CS further said that the government is developing a white paper that will guide the Energy Sector Policy onwards and warned that those who do not discharge their duties diligently and responsibly will be held accountable. White papers are policy documents produced by the Government that set out their proposals for future legislation.
Energy Sector Reforms
- June 21, 2022
- 9:27 am
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