Page 15 - AfrElec Week 39 2022

AfrElec ELECTRIC VEHICLES AfrElec

Kenya Power launches electric

vehicle pilot programme

UGANDA NAIROBI-LISTED Kenya Power and Light- 13 electric bikes in conjunction with the United
ing Company (KPLC) has allocated KES40mn Nations Environment Programme (UNEP),
($340,000) to buy electric vehicles as part of a which were used by metre readers and its reve-
pilot program to replace its fossil fuel-powered nue collection team.
vehicles and build a charging station network. KPLC said it has invited bids to build an
KPLC, a majority government-owned util- e-mobility network infrastructure system (Enis)
ity, transmits, distributes and retails electricity for the initial charging stations and will be allow-
to customers throughout the country. Under ing payments through mobile money and credit
its e-mobility pilot program, the utility is also cards. “With an installed capacity of 3077MW
installing charging systems for both company and an off-peak load of 1100MW, Kenya has
and public use to demonstrate a commitment to enough power to support the entire e-mobility
reducing greenhouse gases. ecosystem,” Muli said.
“Kenya Power intends to substantially reduce The company has partnered with the Swed-
its carbon footprint by purchasing more e-vehi- ish government on the project and also plans to
cles in the near future, including two-wheelers work closely with the private sector to support
and three-wheelers. We must play our rightful e-mobility nationwide, he said.
role to combat global warming by championing “We have a very critical role in supporting
mitigation measures such as the adoption of the e-mobility ecosystem to ensure every electric
electric motorisation,” said KPLC acting Man- vehicle has a place to charge. We are supporting
aging Director Geoffrey Muli, as quoted by Cit- the private sector to ensure that they are con-
izen Digital. nected to install charging positions,” Muli said
KPLC intends to purchase 50 long-range in an interview with NTV.
electric bikes from leading domestic electric The company can play “a vital role” in clean
vehicle maker Roam (the Swedish-Kenyan tech- energy and mobility development in the region,
nology company previously known as Opium), said Carol Vicini, Sweden’s ambassador to
which has been locally assembling e-motorbikes. Kenya. ™
The utility has recently completed piloting

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