Why is my electricity bill going up by 100%?

Posted Sep 9, 2009 | 0 | Filed under:

So if electricity consumers are having power rationing with black outs from 6am to 6pm two to three times a week, why are the electiricty bills going up 100% or more? 

The reason that everyone's electricity bill is going up is because the way the country generates electricity has changed significantly due to the drought, poor planning etc.
Historically, Kenya generated 60% of its electricity from hydro, about 18% from geothermal and 22% from thermal ( diesel generators, HFO generators etc). Hydro electricity is the cheapest source. I will give an example of costs of generating electricity per unit. Please note that these are not exact figures but are in the ball park. 

For comparison's sake, here are costs of generation based on technology in Kenya:

Hydro  $0.02

Geothermal $0.08

Diesel $0.20

(This are estimated figures for illustration only)

So if the generation mix changes where the cheapest, i.e. hydro, declines by 5% and is replaced by Diesel, then the consumers see a significant increase in their electricity bills.

Well, what can a mwananchi do?

1. Lower your energy consumption. 

  - Replace those incandescent light bulbs with cfls or better still, LEDs. Please be sure to buy genuine CFLs that are rated for the hours       a day you need to ensure they last as long as they should. If all Kenyans reduced our energy demand by 22%, that would eliminate       all the diesel generators and leave us with very cheap electricity. Do you part!

2. Diversify your energy sources.   

    - If you are in rural Kenya, or at least have 4 cows in your compund, consider investing in a biogas plant ( 60k to 80k) which can             supply the cooking and lighting needs of an average family.  

    - If you are in Nairobi, consider installing a solar hot water system that can supply 90 to  95% of your hot water and pay back your           investment in just under 2yrs.

3. Take charge. 

    - With the internet and companies such as ours, Kenyans must no longer take things at face value. If you don't like something, in           addition to raising questions, do something about it.