Mega power generation project underway

By RENSON MNYAMWEZI

Frequent power failures in the country will be a thing of the past once the multi-billion shilling Transmission Line Project is complete.

The Kenya Electricity Transmission Company  (Ketraco) Head of Technical Service John Mativo said the Sh22 billion Rabai-Nairobi power project would generate more than 1,500 mega watts on completion. This, he said, would be sufficient for the country and its neighbours.

“The project will generate more electricity for Kenya and other East and Central Africa countries. On completion the line will have a capacity of 1,555 mega watts,” said Dr Mativo. The current country demand is 1,300 mega watts, he said.

The project with 1,202 gigantic steel pylons traversing the country side with heights of between 35-50 metres and carrying 24 conductors as well as two ground wires with 48 fibre optical ground wire would be leased to Telcom companies for use of data transfer, said the engineer.

FIBRE CABLE
The project that is still under construction involves construction of a 490-km line from the Coast Province to Nairobi.

“The project is on schedule and in line with the planned generation of 15,000 mega watts envisioned in the country’s Vision 2030. What the country did in 54 years we’re doing in six years now,” said Mativo.

He said the optical fibre cable would not only help to control networks but also reduce widespread vandalism.

Mativo, who was accompanied by the Project Team Leader Andolo Ambasi and Head of Corporate Communications Raphael Mworia, said the project is divided into three phases and the first is scheduled for completion soon.

“The project is to transmit power from planned generation stations at the Coast to Nairobi and this will reduce damage to the roads that would have been occasioned by transportation of petroleum products to fuel stations in the hinterland,” he said.

Mativo was speaking to the Press in Voi town during the foundation uplift tests on the first 400KV project currently under construction.

The foundations were intended to establish whether the 17 tonne towers could withstand strong winds and other natural and man-made forces.

Mativo said the first phase is financed by the Government in conjunction with the French Development Agency, the European Investment Bank and the African Development Bank. He at the same time said Ketraco has set aside more than Sh900 million for wayleave access and compensation purposes.

“The project passes through community land and private farms and we must make sure that they are compensated to pave way for the smooth implementation of the project,” he said.