Coast Water Works Nears Completion of Solar Project to Cut Baricho Water Station Power Costs

By Ben Okweingoti 

The Coast Water Works Development Agency (CWWDA) has announced that its solar power project at the Baricho Water Works station in Malindi Sub County, Kilifi County, is 90 percent complete. The initiative is expected to significantly reduce electricity costs for the facility.

CWWDA Chief Executive Officer Hamoud Mguza revealed that the 6,716 solar panels will generate 4.3 megawatts of electricity, lowering pumping costs by an estimated 20 percent.

The agency plans to begin using solar power for water pumping operations next week. Phases two and three of the project are expected to boost production to more than 10 megawatts, potentially eliminating reliance on Kenya Power entirely.

Mguza highlighted financial challenges facing the agency, noting that Water Service Providers (WSPs) across four coastal counties have owed CWWDA Sh6 billion since 2012. This debt has affected the agency’s ability to settle electricity bills, resulting in frequent power outages at the station. 

“The solar power system also requires maintenance, so timely payment by WSPs is critical; otherwise, we may have no choice but to disconnect pumping,” he warned.

Kilifi Deputy Governor Flora Chibule emphasized the importance of the solarization project in addressing water scarcity. She urged residents connected to the pipelines to pay for the water they consume to enable the Malindi Water and Sewerage Company (MAWASCO) and Kilifi Mariakani Water and Sewerage Company (KIMAWASCO) to settle CWWDA bills and sustain operations. 

“We inherited unpaid bills at CWWDA, and while people complain about lack of water, some continue not paying. This solar project will help resolve the billing challenges,” Chibule said.

Cabinet Secretary for Water, Sanitation, and Irrigation Eric Mugaa affirmed the government’s commitment to solving water shortages in the coastal region. He highlighted the Baricho solarization project and the completion of the Mwache Dam in Kwale County as key interventions. 

“This solar project will be operational next week, reducing power bills by 20 percent initially. We also plan to install high-rise pumps and energy storage to expand capacity in subsequent phases,” he noted.

The initiative is expected to strengthen water supply reliability and reduce operational costs, marking a significant step toward sustainable water management in the region.