The Institution of Engineers of Kenya Mombasa Industrial Trip

Last Updated 15 years ago by Kenya Engineer

Kipevu III power Generation

This was one of the facilities visited during the Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) industrial Mombasa tour. The industrial tour was organized by the functions committee under the leadership of Eng. H J Nyaanga. The institution also visited English Point, TSavo power and finally Kenya Ferry Services .

The contract of Kipevu III was signed by the Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) and Wartsila Eastern Africa, a Finnish firm, to supply a turnkey power plant. This was in December 2009.  As at 25th of November 2010 the KenGen confirmed that the construction was well on schedule and the power plant was due for commissioning in January 2011. This was one of the steps taken by KenGen to stabilise the power situation in Kenya by 2013 by injecting upto 1,500 Mw into the national grid.

The construction cost when complete will be Ksh 8.7 billion. The Kipevu III Project is one of the key projects being financed through the proceeds from the Sh25 billion Infrastructure Bond that’s was issued by KenGen in 2009.

The power station will normally operate at base load, with an expected annual load factor of greater than 85%. The plant shall be capable of operating at base load throughout the year. The power plant is to be connected to the transmission system via a new Gas Insulated Substation identified as KPLC Kipevu 132 kV. This substation will provide a connection point for the Kipevu III power plant to KenGen Diesel PS substation and a connection to the existing KPLC 33kVsubstation.

Generally, the main supply shall include Heavy Fuel Oil, medium speed diesel engines, giving a total net plant output between 110-122MW at site ambient conditions, complete with all auxiliary equipment, Synchronous, 3 Phase, 50 Hz generators driven by the diesel engines and c Air blast radiator cooling water systems for the main and auxiliary plant cooling.

Kipevu II-Tsavo Power

Tsavo Power Company Limited (TPC) was formed in 1998 as a special-purpose corporate entity, which is today owned by a consortium of international investors who have provided debt and equity financing for development of the project. TPC signed a Power Purchase Agreement with Kenya Power and Lighting Co. Ltd. (KPLC). Kipevu II power plant is located in Mombasa next to the largest seaport on Africa’s eastern coast. The 74 MW station has increased thermal generation capacity in Kenya by almost 25%, injecting a much-needed stable source of electricity into the National Transmission and Distribution Grid, owned and operated by the national utility KPLC.

Wärtsilä Eastern Africa Ltd has signed a 15-year Operation and Maintenance agreement with TPC. The O&M agreement reduces the business risk for Tsavo significantly. Not only does it guarantee all technical parameters such as heat rate, output and availability, it also provides an active partner for Tsavo with the end-user KPLC.

After a successful mobilization period the personnel were formally qualified as competent to operate the plant in a safe and reliable manner. Ongoing training for staff is also provided to ensure the transfer of knowledge from the expatriate personnel to the local plant staff. In general all minor and major overhauls and repairs are performed on site by the plant staff. If required, Wärtsilä specialists can assist in major works or technically complex operations.

English Point Marina

This is contemporary development. It offers apartments living in the comfort, luxury and security of a hotel and will be managed by the award winning team of the Pinewood Village Beach Resort. Onsite facilities include a hotel, restaurant, spa & gym, serviced marina, water-sport centre, boardwalk with retail outlets and underground car parking. EnglishPoint is located on a 4 acre beach front site, across the creek from the historic Fort Jesus and spectacular skyline of Mombasa old town.

All apartments for purchase have a high standard of specification including: Air conditioning, Modern fitted kitchens with integrated appliances, Modern fitted bathrooms Solar hot water, Utility room with washer/dryer, Internet, satellite and telephone outlets in all rooms, Secure underground car parking with storage facility, Lifts and staircases to all above-ground apartments, Communal infinity swimming pool, beach and Jacuzzi, Hotel facilities and servicing available to apartment owners, Opportunity to rent your apartment through the hotel for investment purposes, 24 Hour security including CCTV, guards and security lighting, Free membership to the Nyali Golf Club.

English Point is situated on a beautiful white sandy beach, with full access to the warm waters of the English Point creek and spectacular views of Mombasa old town, Fort Jesus and Old Mombasa harbour.