President William Ruto emphasized Kenya's significant gains from a power transmission deal between Adani Group Holdings and the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (KETRACO).
During the groundbreaking ceremony for a 35MW power plant in Menengai, Nakuru County, Ruto highlighted how Kenya is leveraging Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) to unlock its vast geothermal potential, which he sees as a driver for economic growth.
With private sector involvement, including the Adani Group, Ruto explained that Kenya is on track to establish a national electric power grid by 2030 without burdening taxpayers.
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The Adani Group is investing Ksh.95 billion in the transmission project, a cost Ruto stated the government would otherwise have had to borrow, further straining public resources. The president reassured that the government would pay investors using a pre-negotiated fee.
Ruto expressed confidence that these energy investments will spur job creation and industrial growth. He emphasized that this project is fully funded by private sector partners, with investors contributing Ksh.12 billion to generate energy, which Kenya will purchase for its grid.
The project’s significance follows the recent announcement by Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi of a Ksh.95.68 billion deal between KETRACO and Adani Energy Solutions Limited. Under the agreement, Adani will develop, finance, and operate key transmission lines and substations to combat frequent power outages nationwide.
The 35MW power plant, managed by Orpower TwentyTwo, will supply electricity to counties such as Nanyuki, Meru, and Nyeri. Ruto also highlighted Kenya's untapped geothermal potential, noting that the country has harnessed only 950MW out of an estimated 10,000MW, leaving room for significant expansion in areas like Olkaria, Eburru, and Baringo.
