Power Industries in Garissa
Garissa Solar Power Plant: A Pioneer Project
The decision to invest in solar energy was long overdue in Kenya. Its potential was known for decades, and action should have been taken much earlier. With 80% of Kenya being semi-arid to arid, solar energy is abundant and inexhaustible, making it a sustainable energy source. North and north-eastern Kenya lie in the eye of the sun, with no intermittence and variance of ample sun year-round. There’s plenty of unutilised land for putting up any industry here. While operating costs are low, the initial investment for building solar energy plants was unreasonable high in the past, but costs have been declining in recent years. Once installed, solar plants have minimal operating costs compared to most other traditional power plants.
Today, Garissa Solar Power Plant, the largest of its kind in Kenya, offers a chance for the enthusiastic go-greener to fuel their passion for clean power. It is found 20 km north of Garissa town. Here, in a bold effort to harness solar energy, sits the first-rate examples of Kenya’s ambitious goals of tapping into clean renewable energy and diversifying the power generation intermix. Currently, Garissa Solar Power Plant is contributing about 2% of the national energy mix. With that, it has significantly led to a reduction of energy costs in the country and promoted the agenda of clean, reliable, sustainable, and clean energy. Garissa Solar Power Plant has proved to be a tremendous investment with many environmental advantages.
The whopping 85-hectares Garissa Solar Power Plant was built by China Jiangxi International (K) Limited, at a cost of Kes. 13.5 billion. It comprises of a staggering 300,000 solar panels that generate 76,410 MW yearly – enough to power nearly 600,000 homes. The solar panels are arranged in arrays to capture sunlight and generate electricity. Thanks to its initial; success, the government now plans on investing more on sustainable means of energy production in the future. The 54.6 megawatt (MW) plant, today the largest in East Africa, begun injecting power to the grid and has lend a hand to cut reliance on the high-cost geothermal power – with a drop in use of the cheaper hydro power that varies with the seasons.
Kenya’s power generation mix includes both renewable and non-renewable. Historically, hydropower has been the dominant source of electricity in Kenya. Next to this, Kenya is known for its significant geothermal resources, particularly along the Rift Valley. To keep with its mission of 100% renewable energy, Kenya has been investing in wind and solar energy projects to diversify its power mix.
Index of Power Generation Mix in Kenya
Hydro I Embu County - Gitaru Power Station, Kamburu Power Station, Kiambere Power Station, Karura Power Station, Kindaruma Power Station, Masinga Power Station, Homa Bay County - Sondu Miriu Power Station, Kirinyaga County - Tana Power Station, Kisumu County - Sang’oro, Migori County - Gogo Power Station, Nyeri County - Sagana Power Station, West Pokot County - Turkwel Gorge Power Station
Geothermal I Nakuru County - Olkaria Power Plant I, Olkaria Power Plant II
Wind I Kajiado County - Ngong Hill Power, Marsabit County - Lake Turkana Power
Thermal I Kisumu County - Muhoroni Power Plant, Mombasa County - Kipevu Power
Solar I Garissa County - Garissa Power Plant, Selenkei Solar Farm, Cedate Solar Plant, Alten Solar Power, and Malindi Solar Plant, Kisumu Solar One PV Park, Kopere Park
outlook
Touring Garissa County offers a unique blend of cultural immersion, natural beauty, and opportunities to explore the traditional way of life in northeastern Kenya, unchanged since the days of yore. It’s a chance to experience authentic Somali culture and hospitality while enjoying the serene beauty of northeastern.
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Explore Destinations Near Garissa Power Plant
A Guide to Garissa County
A Summa Digest of Garissa
About Garissa Way Back When
18 Destinations in Garissa County, arranged as one would visit these - west, north, east then south - with aid of narratives, images, strip maps and distance chart:
River Tana, Almond Resort, Suuq Mugdi Market, Jamia Mosque Garissa, Garissa Culture and Heritage Center, Garissa Giraffe Centre, Garissa Solar Power Plant, Bour-Algi Giraffe Sanctuary, Rahole National Reserve, Merti Plains, River Ewaso Nyiro, Lorian Swamp, Dadaab Camp, Arawale National Reserve, Ishaqbini Hirola Community Conservancy, Lake Ishaqbini, Boni Forest National Reserve, Lag Badana Reserve
Know More About Garissa County: Its Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads - including a distance chart, Airports, Climate & National Monuments
Temperatures in Garissa County are generally high throughout the year, like clockwork, ranging from 20oC to a high of 38oC. The average temperature is 36oC. February is the hottest month of year.
The vast Garissa County is basically flat and low-lying without notable hills, valleys and mountains. It rises from a low altitude of 200 to 400 ms.