KETRACO embarks on projects which will ensure supply of reliable and stable power.

 KETRACO Chairman Engineer James Rege{R} during a stakeholders meeting today where he has said the company has embarked on projects which will help in supply of reliable and steady electricity in the country-Photo By Dickson Odhiambo.

By Dickson Odhiambo.

August 20, 2018.

KETRACO embarks on projects which will ensure supply of reliable and stable power.

THE Kenya Electricity Transmission Company Limited has embarked on projects which will ensure that there will be reliable and stable electricity across the country.

KETRACO Limited Chairman Engineer James Rege says the Company has begun two major projects to help in the reliable and steady supply of electricity especially in Nyanza and Western Kenya regions.

Addressing a stakeholders meeting in Kisumu today to mitigate impending issues of resettlement, wayleave acquisition, survey challenges on the Olkaria – Lessos – Kisumu and Sondu – Ndhiwa transmission line projects, the chairman said the construction of the two projects are on the right course.

He says the reliable power supply will also empower local fisherman with modern fishing equipment and storage facilities, adding that the existing and upcoming industries such as Kenya Breweries Company will generate employment opportunities for the youth.

He says according to the Humanitarian Data Exchange report, Kisumu’s county electricity access stands at 18.3%. 

he says this is lower compared to other cities such as Nairobi at 72% and Mombasa at 59%, adding that this greatly hinders development. 

“When KETRACO was formed in 2008, the country had approximately 3,300km of high voltage transmission line. So far, we have completed an additional 1,900km of transmission lines and 2,300km are under construction and planned to be completed by December 2019,” Rege says.

 He says the company is currently constructing the 300km 400/220kV Olkaria – Lessos – Kisumu double circuit line and associated substations at Olkaria, Lessos, Kibos and Mamboleo.

“To improve supply in Nyanza region, we are constructing the 300km 400/220kV Olkaria – Lessos – Kisumu double circuit line and associated substations at Olkaria, Lessos, Kibos and Mamboleo. On completion, this region will have improved power supply. Kisumu is a hub of the fishing industry,” KETRACO chairman adds. 

He says In addition, KETRACO recently energized Ndhiwa substation in Homa Bay County, adding that this substation is part of the Sondu – Homa Bay – Awendo transmission project that is meant to improve power supply reliability and provide stable voltage profiles within South Nyanza region. 

“This region is home to sugar industries that require stable power supply for production. The industries will have increased production,” he adds.

He says with the Lake Region Economic Bloc{LREB} comprising of 14 Counties in the Larger Western Kenya region, there is need for the company to improve electricity access from the current 30% in order to support the initiative.

“Kisumu is among the 14 counties that make up the Lake Region Economic Bloc. The objective of the Bloc is to leverage on the economic scale in order to improve the livelihood of the people. With this objective in mind, the infrastructure challenges have to be addressed. We want to improve the electricity access from the current 30% in order to support this initiative,” he further adds.

Rege adds that the company is also improving internet connectivity as well as overall telecommunication systems to ensure that the company serve the region with fastest and most stable internet.

“An integral part of KETRACO’s transmission lines is fibre optic cable. We are delighted to be doing more than constructing transmission lines. We are also improving internet connectivity as well as overall telecommunication systems to ensure that we serve the region with the fastest and most stable internet. As such, our youth will be able to operate businesses such as cyber cafes,” Engineer Rege adds.

Rege says the company seeks continued support as it strive to make universal access to electricity a reality.

“Wayleave acquisition has been a setback in faster connection and we hope by working together with all stakeholders, this will be an issue of the past,” he concludes.  

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