Ketraco awards Siemens Sh2.7 billion contract

Last Updated 15 years ago by Kenya Engineer

Kenya power transmission company Ketraco has awarded a Sh2.7 billion contract with global engineering company Siemens for the extension of Rabai and Embakasi substations. Ketraco Managing Director Joel Kiilu said the extension of the 220 kV substations is vital in order to tie in electricity transmitted within the 400kV and 220 kV  Mombasa – Nairobi transmission line that is currently being constructed by Indian company Kapatauru.

“The extension of the two substations will make it easy to transmit power within the high voltage line from Mombasa,”  Kiilu said during the signing ceremony. Dominique Jassoin signed on behalf of the consortium of Siemens Transmission & Distribution  and Siemens Kenya Limited.

Kiilu said the project would for the first time  involve the  installation of an eight kilometre underground cable near Embakasi. Though erecting underground cables is expensive that was the only alternative because the site falls on a flight path and installing normal towers could pose a threat to aircraft landing at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

The project, being financed by the  France Development Agency  (AFD) and the Kenya Government is expected to take 20 months. AFD has contributed Sh2.2 billion  while the Government is providing the rest.

“We promise to employ our experience in this field  and could finish  the project in 17 to 18 months,” said Jassoin.

Extension pf the Rabai and Embakasi substations forms lot three of the Mombasa – Nairobi transmission line being constructed at a cost of sh7.4 billion. Lot one comprises the segment of the line between Rabai and Tsavo River, while Lot two comprises the line between Tsavo River and Embakasi substation. The line is of critical importance because it will be used to transfer electricity from the thermal stations in the coastal area to Nairobi, improve the power system stability, reliability and reduce technical losses  and play a major role in regional power trade.

Kiilu said Ketraco plans to invest Sh1 billion over the next four years in construction of transmission lines across the country. He also revealed that a consultant will soon be contracted to develop a wheeling charge mechanism to enable the company to recoup its investments   besides opening up channels for power exchange in the region.