If you run a business in Kenya, your operating costs just went up. On October 9th, 2026, the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) confirmed an increase of Ksh 4.10 per kWh on your electricity bill.This is not the base KPLC tariff. These are pass-through levies that every business, from a shop in Eldoret to a factory in Nairobi, must pay.At Safi Power, we break down what this actually means for your bottom line, and why more Kenyan businesses are switching to commercial solar now.

Breakdown: Where Does the Extra Ksh 4.10/kWh Come From?

According to the EPRA gazette notice dated October 9th:

• Fuel Energy Cost Charge: Ksh 3.22 / kWh — Cost of running thermal diesel generators when hydro is low.
• Foreign Exchange Rate Fluctuation Adjustment (Forex): Ksh 0.87 / kWh — KPLC’s dollar-denominated loans for power purchase.
• Water Resource Management Authority (WRMA) Levy: Ksh 0.01 / kWh

Total: 3.22 + 0.87 + 0.01 = Ksh 4.10 / kWh extra.

This is added after your energy charge, before VAT and fuel VAT.

What This Means for Kenyan Businesses: A Real Cost Example

Let’s do the math for a typical business.

Example: A small hotel / school / petrol station using 1,500 kWh per month

• Previous average bill: ~Ksh 38,000
• Additional cost from new levies: 1,500 kWh x 4.10 = Ksh 6,150 extra per month
• New annual impact: Ksh 73,800 per year in additional overhead, with no extra value.

For a manufacturer using 10,000 kWh/month, that’s Ksh 41,000 extra per month — Ksh 492,000 per year straight off your profit.

And these levies change monthly. You cannot budget accurately when you depend 100% on KPLC.

Why This Is a Structural Problem, Not a One-Month Spike

Kenya’s grid is over 85% green, but the remaining thermal plants set the marginal price. When forex rises or fuel rises, businesses pay. Commercial customers cannot opt out.

This is why commercial solar is now a financial decision, not just a green decision.

How Commercial Solar Helps Businesses Lock In Power Costs

With a Safi Power grid-tied commercial solar system, you generate your own daytime power — exactly when most businesses operate.

1. Cut Daytime Grid Consumption by 60-80%
Most shops, offices, schools and warehouses use 70% of their power between 8am-5pm. Solar covers that directly.

2. Protection Against EPRA Adjustments
Solar power has 0 Fuel Cost, 0 Forex Levy, 0 Water Levy. Once installed, your cost per kWh is fixed at ~Ksh 6-8 for 25 years.

3. Immediate ROI
For a business paying Ksh 35/kWh all-in with KPLC, solar levelized cost is 3-4x cheaper. Payback in Kenya is now 2.5 – 4 years for commercial systems, with a 25-year warranty.

4. Tax Benefit
Kenya allows wear and tear allowance for commercial solar investments, improving your ROI further.

Case: 15 kW System for a 1,500 kWh/Month Business in Eldoret

• System Size: 15kW commercial rooftop
• Monthly Production: ∼1,950 kWh
• Your Daytime Use Covered: ∼1,100 kWh (73%)
• Monthly Savings: 1,100 x Ksh 34 = Ksh 37,400
• Annual Savings: ~Ksh 448,800
• Payback: Under 3.5 years
• After payback, that is pure profit for 20+ years.

Is Your Business Premise Suitable?

If you have:

• A flat or mabati roof with 40 sqm+ space, or open ground
• A monthly bill above Ksh 15,000
• Daytime operations (8am-5pm)

Then you are an ideal candidate.

Take Control of Your Energy Costs Today.

You cannot control EPRA or KPLC. You can control how much you buy from them.

At Safi Power, we offer:

• Free business energy audit & bill analysis
• Custom commercial proposal with ROI sheet
• Installation and net-metering application
• Monitoring and maintenance

Get a free site survey today.

Call us on +254 724 713 857 or visit www.safi-power.com to request your free assessment. Stop absorbing higher electricity costs.