The newly established Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC) intends to employ 165 staff to build capacity and strengthen its new status.
The REREC Chairman, Prof. Simon Gicharu said the new body was determined to effectively discharge its mandate and ensure Kenya realize clean energy and achieve the Big Four Agenda and Vision 2030.
Prof. Gicharu said they will engage the public as well as the government to formulate conducive policies in order to achieve its key objectives.
The new Corporation has replaced the former Rural Electrification Authority (REA) after President Uhuru Kenyatta’s assentation of the Energy Act, 2009.
Among the key function of the Corporation is to oversee rural electricity programme, manage rural electrification programme fund, establish Energy Centres in all the 47 counties, develop and update the renewable energy master plan while accounting for equity in the development of renewable energy resources.
Addressing new Board members and staff of REREC on Monday during a retreat at PrideInn Paradise Beach Hotel in Mombasa, Prof. Gicharu said the Corporation now has more responsibilities and a bigger mandate compared to the former Rural Electrification Authority.
He told the retreat which was also attended by the Corporation CEO, Peter Mbugua that the Garissa Solar Power plant which has capacity of 54.64 megawatts (mw) is set to generate more than Sh.431 million in revenue from the sale of power to Kenya Power.
On vandalism of power installations, Prof. Gicharu lamented that the country was losing up to Sh.300 million annually, saying the corporation will sensitize the public on the importance of protecting such valuable facilities.
On his part, Mbugua said the corporation will rebrand to ensure that Kenyans are well aware with the work and mandate of REREC.
By Mohamed Hassan
