Do not expect a quick fix to power blackouts, cautions Wandayi
Business
By
Mike Kihaki and Noel Nabiswa
| Sep 09, 2024
Kenyans will continue experiencing power blackouts as the government works on a three-year plan.
Cabinet Secretary for Energy Opiyo ="https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/national/article/2001502278/why-there-was-a-power-blackout-today-wandayi"> Wandayi said there was no quick “Strategy is in place to deal with the electricity outage, which will not come in a fortnight. Kenyans should exercise patience as the government works on the challenge,” he said.
Cheche: We have a big task at the World Cup next month KCB's Karan Patel focused on clinching Burundi Rally Africa Paves the Way for a Greener Future: Global Conference Highlights Ecosystem Revitalisation Media urged to go digital to tap shifting consumer trends Jail term, hefty fine for pastors with unregistered churches Ambitious Awuor eager to leave a mark on her World Cup debut Experts warn of bureaucratic hurdles in new movable property bill Ruto hails Parliament as his key partner Kenya Navy golfer Mochanga overcomes all odds to take command at Sea-Link Mombasa Course Wandayi blamed yesterday’s blackout on hitches on the high-voltage Loiyangalani transmission line. “What we are witnessing today has built up over time and is as a result of sub-optimal investment in energy infrastructure.”
He said the line tripped at the Suswa substation, ="https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/health/national/article/2001487074/kenya-suffers-third-nationwide-power-blackout-in-3-months">cutting off the evacuation< of 288mw from the Lake Turkana Wind Power plant. “This initial trip was compounded by a subsequent failure in the Ethiopia-Kenya 500kv DC interconnector, which was transmitting 200mw. As a result, the grid suffered a total loss of 488mw, representing 27.3 per cent of the total system generation at the time,” he said.
The ministry is focusing on both short-term and long-term interventions, including pursuing the lifting of the moratorium on Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) and advancing base load projects like hydro and geothermal plants to strengthen the grid.
Additionally, Wandayi outlined several grid resilience projects already in progress, including the Turkwell-Ortum-Kitale, Sondu Ndhiwa, Nanyuki-Isiolo transmission lines, and upgrades to the Loiyangalani–Suswa transmission line.
="https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/explainers/article/2001480341/blackout-who-does-what-in-the-power-distribution-chain">Kenya Power has been< directed to embark on urgent reforms aimed at improving operational efficiency, reducing costs and enhancing service delivery. He directed the board to submit a report within a month. “The company must prioritise initiatives that strengthen its balance sheet and restore sustainable profitability,” he said.
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