Shs.300 million for Mombasa power automation project

Last Updated 14 years ago by Kenya Engineer

Kenya Power is satisfied with the progress of its power system automation project in Mombasa aimed at facilitating efficient monitoring and resolving disturbances in the electricity network quickly.

The Mombasa automation project, which is being implemented on pilot basis at a cost of Shs.300 million, entails installation of automation system units in sections of distribution lines covering the Mombasa Island and its environs in the Coast province.

Speaking during site visits in Mombasa, Kenya Power Telecommunications Manager, Eng. Samuel Ndirangu said timely implementation of the project will ease restoration of power supply to customers in case of electric faults and help the company minimize loss of electricity sales occasioned by power interruptions.

“The automation system will enable Kenya Power to remotely locate and isolate faulty positions along its power distribution lines with minimum disruption of power supply to customers who are not directly affected by the fault,” he said.

At the same time, he said, Kenya Power will benefit on reduced operational costs associated with movement of technical staff and transport in the region.  

The system has three main components: the master station whose function is to monitor and control the unit to be installed in the regional control centre in Rabai, Mombasa; a communication system that links up with switches in the field, and a remote control terminal and a motorized switch.

Currently, Kenya Power technicians have to physically trace the fault area and manually troubleshoot anomalies occurring along electricity distribution lines. This is a time consuming process due to the length of the power lines and other impediments like traffic jams.

The automation system will be integrated with the new System Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) currently under installation to facilitate a complete communication process. The SCADA system will ease communication between Kenya Power control centres and various substations across the country, and is financed by the European Investment Bank as part of the Energy Sector Recovery Project.

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