Firm lights up UN Avenue with the solar power

Philips Lighting has donated street solar systems to the Kenya Urban Roads Authority for improvement of lighting on the recently rehabilitated UN Avenue. Speaking during the launch of the Philips solar lighting systems, UNEP Executive Director General Archim Steiner said Africa has great opportunity with LED technology and solar system. “Modern technology will save Africa, a continent where three quarters have no access to electricity. Just put in place the right policies and like the mobile revolution, Africa will benefit immensely,” he said.

He said darkness in Africa has reduced production and limited opportunities and that provision of solar lighting should be seen as a service to society. “Efficient solar lighting will lead to improved lives and reduces the effects of carbon emissions.” KURA director general Joseph Nkadayo said many children in the rural villages score poor grades in school because they cannot revise at night. Nkadayo added that rural families cannot afford the cost of paraffin and that companies such as Philips should consider lowering the cost of solar systems to enable the poor to access it. “Solar is an important tool to alleviate poverty and saves family income,” he said.

He hailed Philips Lighting General Manager Andre Dehmel for Africa for the generous contribution towards development. Nkadayo said his authority has rehabilitated UN Avenue in collaboration with UNEP with the intention of making it a modern model road with Non-Motorised Transport including cycle path and footpath.

This he added was due to the realisation that 47 per cent of citizens in the city residents walk on foot. The Director of Projects at UN-Habitat Dr. Alioune Badiane said there is a policy that has been put in place to include the provision of solar systems in future housing plans among the East Africa Community. Andre said they have plans to roll out LED and Street solar systems that will tremendously reduce the cost of electricity for all. He further explained that the huge savings and efficiency will lead to savings for consumers while this will release more power to productive sectors of the economy.