County Embraces Solar Energy to Cut Water Supplying Cost

Vihiga

Monday, July 24, 2023,

KNA by Sammy Mwibanda

Vihiga County government has embraced the use of solar energy to pump water from the main water supply stations in a bid to cut back on the cost of making water accessible to consumers.

Governor Dr. Wilber Ottichilo says the harnessing of solar energy instead of using electricity has enabled the county to bring down expenditure on water distribution by as much as half.

Speaking while commissioning the Lunyerere/Mbale main water project, Dr. Ottichilo said they have installed 1,336 solar panels at the station that serves Mbale and Chavakali towns as well as their environs.

The Governor disclosed that the project, which has the capacity of supplying 7.5 million liters of water per day, would enable 300,000 residents to have access to clean, safe and piped water.

He added that the county has established a mini-station at Kaimosi with the capacity of supplying 1.2 million liters per day where solar power brought down the monthly power bill from Sh. 500,000 to Sh. 250,000.

Dr. Ottichilo stated that they also have solar-powered borehole projects including Kimogoi in Hamisi, Ipali in Luanda, and Buhani in Vihiga sub-counties respectively.

He said adopting the green energy technology is also intended to mitigate the effects of climate change occasioned by the utilization of other energy sources.

“The use of wooden electric poles and wood fuel, which are sourced from trees, has led to environmental degradation and hence adverse effects of climate change,” he said.

Courtesy ; K. N. A