Que Energy to create a 10.1 Megawatt Nabuyole Power Plant in Webuye

Written by Rosemary Wachiye

Que Energy Eng.Daniel Theuri showing the Area MP Alfred Sambu the plan of the power plant which is meant to begin september and take 18 months to end in raising additional 10.1MW to the National Grid. [Photo/ Rosemary Wachiye]
Bungoma County is set to have its first power plant at a cost of over Sh 2.2billion at the Nabuyole falls in Webuye.

The project funded by Que Energy a private company aims at generating power through the rural electrification programme and to help in stabilizing the fluctuation of electricity.

Speaking at the launch of the project, a consultant from the Que Energy Eng.Daniel Theuri stated that the project will be due in 18 months time commencing September and the funds will go towards putting up four turbines of 8m wide and 4m deep.

He added that before the project begins there was need for officials from the National Environmental Authority- NEMA to carry out a feasibility study on environmental and social impact to the people in that region.

“We cannot start the project immediately since we need to first of all carry out a research on environmental and social impact to the residents of Nabuyole area and consider the set backs and challenges they may face with the project in site,” said Eng.Theuri

Theuri was quick to mention that their paramount attention at most will be ensuring that the water pressure from the hydro-electric machines is releases at the same speed back into the river to avoid erosion of land and environmental degradation.

“Before starting the project we will also consider the effects it will have to the environment, mostly on the issue of water pressure from the power machines back to the river which should be at the same pressure to avoid soil erosion that is a form of pollution,” said Eng.Theuri

An aerial view of the Nabuyole water falls and below one of the falls.

He also called upon leaders including the area Member of Parliament, District Officers, chiefs and assistant chiefs to help in sensitizing the public on the benefit they will have from the project.

Mr.Alfred Sambu the area mp,  who was there to officially launch the hydro-electric power station, stated that the power station will produce 10.1 Mega Watts of Power which he said was equivalent to approximately Sh100, 000 per hour totaling up to Sh2.4 Million per day.

Mr.Sambu urged residents of Nabuyole region to own the project and take it as an opportunity to invest in business ventures since the finished power plant was bound to attract investors from outside and he wanted them to be the first ones to benefit from the project.

“I want to urge nabuyole area residents to take this project as an opportunity fro them to benefit economically, socially and financially,” said Mr.Sambu

He also challenged the unemployed people to take up the upcoming jobs from the power plant and in that way it will enable them earn a living

“Residents can also see this as an employment opportunity and maximize it through helping in construction of the power plant,” said Mr.Sambu

 He added that the station will be selling its power energy to a National Grid in companies like Kenya Power and lightning Company and that 10per cent of the money generated from the station will go towards development of the constituency and part of the profit will go towards social responsibility

Mr.Sambu added that as the Vice Chairman of Budgetary Committee in Parliament he aimed at subsidizing production and not consumption