Kenya, China Cooperate on Solar Energy ProgramThe Chinese government will donate 160,000 US dollars to implement a pilot solar energy program for Kenya with an aim to help solve the power shortage in rural areas of the east African country, according to a document signed Monday.Deng Nan, the visiting vice-minister of science and technology of China and Kenya's Science and Technology Minister Henry Kosgey signed the memorandum of understanding on the project. The solar system, which about 80 Kenyan households are expected to benefit from, can power four lights for the villagers' evening life, and a television set for the education and entertainment of each household. A seminar to disseminate the information and experience from the project will be held one year after the system's commissioning, according to the document. At the signing ceremony, Kosgey said that the project, which came at a time that power rationing is wide-spread in Kenya due to the severe drought, will provide a source of new and clean energy in the country heavily dependent on hydropower. Deng responded by expressing her belief that the project will further boost the good relations between the two countries. Deng Nan, head of a Chinese science and technology delegation, arrived in the capital of Nairobi on Sunday. She will meet Kenya's Foreign Minister Bonaya Godana on Tuesday before leaving for Tanzania the same day. |
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