1,500 Megawatts capacity line to up power supply

Last Updated 13 years ago by Kenya Engineer

A high voltage transmission line rising from Mombasa to Nairobi is set to be completed by the end of the year. With a capacity to handle 1500 megawatts, the transmission line was set for completion in September but was interrupted by re-routing of lines following the objections and court cases by land owners along its original route.

“We are targeting the end of year. Negotiations with financiers and Kenya Forestry Services regarding changes at Kibwezi forest where the lines were passing through caused delays,” said Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (Ketraco)’s Managing Director, Joel Kiilu.

Ketraco gazetted a notice for invitation for bids on Monday regarding the Construction of the Mariakani sub-station which is part of the Mombasa-Nairobi Transmission project. The Sh12.9 billion transmission project was started in 2010 with African Development Bank (AfDB), the European Investment Bank and the government financing the project. 

“The Government of Kenya has received Financing from the African Development Bank towards the cost of the Mombasa-Nairobi Transmission Project- 400/220kV Mariakani Substation .It is intended that part of the proceeds of this loan will be applied to eligible payments under the contract for construction of the Mariakani Substation,” read part of the notice.

The winning bidder or qualified contractor will  provide a new 400/220kV air insulated substation at Mariakani and associated transmission line works; relocate and install line shunt reactors from Rabai 220/132kV substation into Mariakani 400/220kV substation; route the existing Isinya – Rabai transmission line into and out of the new Mariakani  substation; Supply and install the 400kV substation configured with four ‘breaker-and-a-half’ diameters and the 220kV substation configured in a ‘breaker-and-a-third’ design;  Provide four future circuits; Supply and install of 3 x 200MVA 400/220kV inter-bus transformers; Construct a new control building; cater for design, engineering, supply, delivery, installation and testing of SCADA and EMS database modifications at the National Control Centre (NCC), and the Regional Control Centre (RCC), for the control and monitoring of the new substation; Carry out the site preparation, earth works, slope protection, surfacing and gravelling the new 400 and 220 sections of the substation area, and the new control building area. As required in the notice.

The high-voltage lines are expected to stabilize power supply to urban centers between Mombasa and Nairobi. Industries based in the areas, especially cement companies, are expected to see a reduction in operating costs associated with electricity shortage which has been a major source of complaints forcing some of them such as Athi River Mining to consider generating their own power.

The above mentioned is just the beginning of more power projects to come. With the construction of transmission lines to Suswa substation, from Lake Turkana wind project, which is still being developed, expected to start in September according to Ketraco. Spain has advanced a Sh12.1 billion loan towards the Sh18.3 billion project with capacity to generate 800MW.

The contract for construction of substations was awarded to Siemens of France whereas engineering, procurement and construction contract for the line was awarded to Isolux Ingeniera of Spain. 

Ketraco also said it will issue tender documents for construction of transmission lines from Ethiopia, with the work expected to start by the first quarter of 2014. The three-year project, estimated to cost Sh54.7 billion, will see Kenya access cheaper electricity from its northern neighbor. It is estimated that Ethiopia will have over 400MW for export to Kenya.

“We are preparing tender documents for issue in September. The financing is there, we are only waiting to sign the last loan agreement with AFD (French Development Agency),” said Mr Kiilu.

Power generation and transmission projects are a priority in Kenya; set to outdo the demand that has in the past surpassed the supply. The government aims to invest over Sh200 billion in power production in the next five years.