Kenya launched the program that is anticipated to help down power rates for companies and people last week by injecting the first shipment of less expensive hydropower imported from Ethiopia into the national system.
Kenya Power will use a maximum capacity of 200 megawatts during the first three years of the 25-year agreement, increasing to 400MW for the remaining time.
Daniel Kiptoo, director general of the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (Epra), said that Kenya Power used 75 megawatts on Thursday, with further capacity being added when the import plan was formally launched.
Kenya is paying 6. 50 US cents per kilowatt hour for Ethiopian power, which is much less than what Independent Power Producers charge. The ability to renegotiate lower tariffs is essential to demonstrating cheaper electricity, relieving pressure on homes, providing investors with enticing rates in an effort to boost the competitiveness of local products, and retaining large corporations that are increasingly looking into alternative energy sources.