The Makueni County Referral Hospital is adopting solar energy to cut its electricity costs by Sh7 million annually, a sharp drop from its current Sh2 million monthly bill.
Investment to be Recovered in Four Years
According to Transport and Energy Executive Sebastian Kyoni, this solar project is a significant step toward reducing the hospital’s dependence on the grid. The facility—previously burdened by high power bills and frequent outages—has embraced this transition to a more reliable and clean energy source.
Governor Mutula Kilonzo Junior’s administration has launched a Sh28 million solarization project for the county’s largest hospital as part of its long-term plan for sustainable economic development. The initiative leverages the region’s abundant sunlight to power essential sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, manufacturing, and water provision.
“The referral hospital currently pays approximately Sh2 million in monthly electricity bills. Once the solar power project is completed, the annual cost of electricity will be reduced by around Sh7 million. This means that in four years, we will have recovered the cost of establishing the solar plant,” Kyoni stated.
He added that the solar panels being installed on seven hospital roofs are expected to generate 200 kilowatts of power, enough to run all hospital operations.
Health Workers Welcome Solar Transition
Four months ago, a nationwide blackout left health workers, patients, and hospital administrators facing uncertainty. The situation worsened when two diesel generators at the facility failed to start under unclear circumstances.
The planned energy transition has already stirred excitement at the hospital, which has been historically plagued by blackouts, with health workers anticipating improved service delivery. Makueni Health Chief Officer Stephen Ndolo noted that the energy transition will bring greater accountability and transparency to the county’s busiest hospital.
He highlighted the importance of an uninterrupted daytime power supply, especially during peak patient hours, to ensure the smooth operation of computer systems that support automation. Additionally, he mentioned that the substantial savings will be reallocated to hospital renovations and hiring more health workers.
Makueni County Committed to Clean Energy Transition
The Makueni County government, in collaboration with UK Partnering for Accelerated Climate Transitions (UK-pact), Strathmore University, and the World Resources Institute, is leading the charge for a clean energy transition.
Governor Kilonzo Junior highlighted the region’s abundant sunshine, sharing plans to harness this resource for productive purposes, including powering major hospitals and water pumping. The county has since adopted a clean energy plan and established a county energy center at Kisingo County Technical Training Centre to promote renewable energy use throughout the region.
Daniel Wilcox—the economic counselor at the British High Commission—noted that solar energy provides consistent clean power, which reduces operating expenses and lowers greenhouse gas emissions for the benefit of the environment.
The adoption of solar energy at Makueni County Referral Hospital marks a major step toward both cost savings and sustainability. With anticipated annual savings of Sh7 million and a commitment to environmental responsibility, the hospital’s transition aligns with broader efforts for economic growth and renewable energy adoption in the region.
