Electricity providing firm, Kenya Power, has agreed a $4.9 million deal with the engineering division of the Singaporean government and a syndicate of Chinese electrical firms to set up electricity lines in five of Kenya’s major towns.
The project is expected to provide power streaks of 33 Kilovolts through the towns of Awendo, Kitale, Mwingi, Kutus and Konza. Power generated will be transmitted from sub-stations installed in these sites by the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company Limited (KETRACO).
Migwi Theuri, Kenya Power’s representative, said that “the joint venture will run over the next 18 months and will see the two parties design, supply and install lines that will evacuate power from the high voltage stations”. This will reduce the distance from one substation to another, improve generation of power and see to shorter time frame for rectifying faults associated with the power systems.
He gave an example of Kitale, which is linked by a 100-kilometre line that extends as far as Eldoret, a connection which proves difficult to manage when a fault arises. “When such a line gets cut along the way, it takes a long time to pinpoint where the actual problem has occurred. Shorter feeder lines out of the sub-stations serving fewer customers are easier to manage and will minimise blackouts in these five regions.”
In August 2014, Kenya Power had declared intentions to connect one million new customers in order to expand the growth of its base. “Kenya Power is working with various financial institutions to develop appropriate loan facilities to assist potential customers in paying for the new connection,” said Ben Chumo, the company’s Chief Executive.
According to a report by Business Daily, Kenya Power has spent Sh11 billion ($121 million) in the construction of 19 sub-stations, 27 line upgrade projects and had undertaken 38 system upgrade projects across the country to modernise the network.
The NSE-listed power company is currently making plans to further invest Sh8.7 billion ($95.7 million) this month towards building 36 sub-stations in Kenya, which is eastern Africa’s largest economy. The benefactors of this project are within the western and coastal regions of the country.
