Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen plans to sell 10 small-scale solar plants in Kenya that his private company has constructed in recent years. Mr Allen’s Kenyan mini grids have a capacity of between 1.5 kilowatts (kW) and six with each unit powering up to 62 customers. The 10 mini grids are located in Olenarau and Olturoto in Kajiado and Samburu villages of Marti, Opiroi and Barsaloi. Energy experts reckon that micro and mini grids, especially those that rely on solar-powered sources, offer Africa the shortest route to lighting off-grid towns where stretching national power grids is not cost-effective. Mini grids involve small power plants (between 10KW and 10 megawatts) and distribution lines connect a limited number of customers outside the scope of the national power transmission network.

Source: Daily Nation November 01, 2016 19:28 UTC