Power Bills Set To Fall As Water Volumes Increase

Kenyans who have been complaining about the skyrocketing power bills are set for a smile following the increase in water volumes in major Kenya Power dams.

According to the Ministry of Energy, water levels in the dams along the Tana River basin have risen to the highest levels since 2015.

The three-year high rise in water volumes signals relief to power consumers and businesses who have been crying of high power bills.

The share of hydro on the national grid now stands at 40 percent. This, according to Energy CS Charles Keter, is expected to reduce the overreliance on diesel-powered generators to generate electricity.

The increase in power bills had been blamed on low water volumes forcing Kenya power to use generators. The levy was at 5.35 shillings per kilowatt hour in April before slightly falling to 4.95 shillings per kilowatt hour in May.

Kenyans have had to carry the burden of increased power bills since 2016 with homes that consume 200-kilowatt hours paying as much as 3,575 shillings in January 2017 with the same rising to 4,322 shillings in April in the same year.

Those who use 50 units have been paying 745 shillings, from 559 shillings in January 2017 but the government has now assured consumers that all is set to change. Power generated due to water volumes now is at 90 percent from 69.34 percent in February 2018.

Kenyans have also called on the government to do away with numerous levies levied on power after it emerged that 80 percent of what Kenyans use to purchase power goes to deductions with only 20 percent left for tokens.