The Kenya Electricity Transmission Company Limited (KETRACO) energized its Sotik – Bomet line yesterday. This line will increase electricity access in Bomet County and its surrounding areas as well as provide high voltage power that will transform this area into an attractive location for agro-based and general industries.
This project, part of the Kenya Power System Improvement Programme (KPTSIP), involves the construction of a 33km 132kV single circuit line and a 132/33kV substation at Bomet and Sotik. It will tap power through Loop-In-Loop-Out (LILO) arrangement from the Company’s existing 62km 132kV Chemosit – Kisii line.
Speaking during the energization exercise, KETRACO’s MD & CEO, FCPA Fernandes Barasa said that efficient, reliable and quality power will translate to open doors for investors from within and outside the Country to Bomet, Sotik, Konion and Chepalungu areas.
“Tea factories, dairy industries and hotels among other investment opportunities should now operate with minimum power disruptions. The youthful population in the county can now invest in retail and wholesale businesses, hardware stores and trade in farm products due to the power we will transmit,” FCPA Barasa added.
The project is financed by the Government of Kenya (GoK) and the African Development Bank (AfDB) at a total cost of USD 6,213,531.
Other projects the Company is energizing this year include the Mombasa – Nairobi line which will power the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) and the Machakos – Konza – Kajiado – Namanga line which will power the Konza Techno City.
By 2030, KETRACO will have implemented transmission infrastructure totaling to 11,230km of high voltage transmission lines that are in line with Kenya Vision 2030. These transmission lines, substations and switch gears will facilitate electricity evacuation from generating stations, reinforce the grid network for increased capacity, reliability and provide redundancy.
About KETRACO
The Kenya Electricity Transmission Company Limited (KETRACO) is a 100% state-owned corporation incorporated in December 2008, under the Company’s Act Cap 486. Its mandate is to plan, design, construct, own, operate and maintain high voltage electricity transmission grid and regional power interconnectors. This infrastructure forms the backbone of the National Transmission Grid, in line with Kenya Vision 2030; with the aim of shielding electricity consumers from the higher retail tariffs.
KETRACO projects are undertaken based on the following themes: Electricity Access Projects, System Strengthening Projects, Power Evacuation Projects and Regional Interconnection Projects.
Since 1954 when the first 220kV line between Nairobi and Jinja (Owen Falls) was constructed, only about 4000 kilometres of high voltage transmission network is in place to date. KETRACO will construct another 5000 kilometres in the next four years focussing on strengthening the existing Transmission System, penetrating into new generation & load distribution areas and enhancing Regional Inter-connections with Uganda, Tanzania and Ethiopia.