Nairobi, July 16 -- The Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (Rerec) is set to integrate solar into 20 of its diesel power plants to cut its current annual Sh1.16 billion fuel bill and lower consumer prices.

Rerec Chief Executive Officer, Rose Mkalama, said that the Treasury has already approved the project, which will see the power plants primarily run on clean energy, relegating diesel to a back-up fuel.

Besides cutting fuel bills, the hybridisation will ease power bills for customers relying on these plants, given that thermal power is the most expensive and has saddled consumers with steep bills. Solar is currently the fourth-cheapest source of power in the national grid.

"The hybridisation of these plants is a wi...