Component 3

Component 3

Component 3: Stand-Alone Systems and Solar Water Pumps for Community Facilities

1. Stand-alone Solar systems for Community Facilities
Electrification of community facilities is a strategic priority for the Government of Kenya (GoK). GoK has undertaken a recent large scale program to provide solar electrification to primary schools as part of the Digital Learning Initiative.

Under this, community facilities developed by the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, and the Ministry of Interior will be supplied with power for optimum performance.

To achieve this, a private-sector contractor will be procured by KPLC for each service territory to supply, install, and maintain stand-alone solar systems in community facilities.

While past approaches focused on supply and installation with limited O&M consideration, the emphasis under this component will move towards a performance based, long-term service delivery. The project will also leverage on technological advancements to reduce maintenance costs. Installations will be made at 207 Secondary Schools; 784 Level 2 & 3 Health Clinics; and 106 ACC Offices.

2. Solar Water Pumps for Community Facilities
About 380 boreholes associated with community facilities in the 14 Counties will benefit from the installation of solar-powered water pumps. This will increase sustainable access to water supply by equipping new boreholes and retrofitting existing diesel-powered boreholes.

The Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC) (www.rerec.co.ke) which is in charge of implementing this aspect of the project will hire private-sector contractor to supply, install and maintain stand-alone solar systems for the community facilities. This will enhance the sustainability of these facilities as operational costs associated with diesel-based systems will be avoided.

The payment for maintenance services will be recovered on monthly basis or at a frequency to be determined by the relevant stakeholder – Counties, REA and community facilities- from community facilities hosting these boreholes.