Expansion Program to connect 300,000 to National Grid

Last Updated 14 years ago by Kenya Engineer

Kenya Power seeks to connect an additional 300,000 consumers to the national grid in two years time to the current number of 1.9 million. The company has signed an agreement with the World Bank’s soft-lending arm, the International Development Association to fund the power expansion project.

The project to be implemented by Kenya Electricity Expansion Program (KEEP) will cover areas in Eastern Province, Rift Valley and Western province which are not yet under the national grid. It will comprise of six contracts including the two 132kV substations at Eldoret and Kitale set to cost Sh418 million and 132kV substations at Kisii and Awendo at the same cost. The two contracts have been awarded to ABB South Africa Ltd.

The projects will connect Garissa to the national grid for the first time, unlocking the town’s potential by increasing power distribution in the area and spurring the growth of new businesses. The town uses a generator for its power needs. Another power transmission circuit will link Kindaruma, Mwingi and Garissa with substations and transformers at the three locations at a total cost of Sh1.3 billion.

The substations and transformers will be built by an Indian contractor M/S KEC International India Ltd while the power line will be built by M/S Tata of India.

Kenya Power last year grew its earnings to Sh4.2 billion from Sh3.7 billion on the back of increased customers that lifted revenues to Sh43 billion from Sh39 billion. However, the Kenya Power managing director, Joseph Njoroge said the country’s electricity demand has peaked to a high of 1,236MW from about 1,194MW last year and is soon expected to hit 1500MW on increased economic activity.

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