As part of embracing the use of clean energy, China is stepping up efforts to connect more Kenyans to solar power through innovative financing and production model.
Prime Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi while hosting the delegation from the China’s Shandong Dahai Group Dahai solar led by its group Chief Executive Officer Liu Dejie has held meetings with Chancellor of Cooperative University of Kenya Bernard Chitunga and senior executives to discuss flagship the chancellor’s legacy programme on the proposed 40 megawatts solar power project meant to be connected to the national grid.
Musalia said the move was in line with the country’s proposed infrastructure development plan that align seamlessly with its national priorities on affordable renewable energy, climate action, industrial skills development and the bottom-up economic transformation agenda whose implementation is planned to start this year.
“This initiative is designed to anchor the Co-operative University of Kenya on long-term financial sustainability through a power purchase agreement, while positioning the institution as a trailblazer in clean energy production, applied research and green innovation,” he said.
He added that once implemented, the partnership will brand the university as the first in the country to enable low-cost renewable energy production at scale, directly connected to the national grid, and reinforcing the university’s ambition to evolve into a green university and innovation hub.
According to the Shandong Dahai group chief executive officer[WU1] Liu Dejie the solar company is a state-funded Chinese enterprise with over three decades of global experience in manufacturing and renewable energy, operating across Asia, Europe, and Africa.
“Through its renewable energy arm, Dahai Solar, the group brings deep technical expertise, vertically integrated manufacturing capability, and long-term project financing strength, positioning this initiative as a potential reference model for university-led sustainable infrastructure development not only in Kenya but also beyond.” Said Dejie.
- A Tell Media report / By Isaiah Wakhungu Andanje
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