Underground cabling is one of the ways in which Kenya Power is expanding and enhancing the capacity of the power distribution network. [Photo/kbctv.co.ke]
Kenya Power is implementing a Sh13 billion underground power network project to improve the quality of electricity supply in Nairobi.
The underground cabling project is expected to reinforce the Nairobi City Centre bulk power supply system by providing alternative supply to existing substations.
This will create a redundant network around the City, thereby improve flexibility of the existing system. It will also scale down system losses riding on extension of the transmission line into the city.
“Initially focused on Nairobi, the underground cabling project will involve construction of a new substation and associated lines to increase the length of the existing network and offer alternative supply points to minimize interruptions,” said Kenya Power’s Ag. Managing Director & CEO Dr. Ken Tarus.
The project involves establishment of a new 220/66kV substation at the city centre and construction of 16.5 kilometres of 220kV underground cable from Embakasi substation to the proposed City Centre substation at a cost of Sh10.56 billion.
It will also entail construction of 25.71 kilometres of 66kV transmission lines in underground cable to connect the new City Centre substation to proposed Likoni Road substation, Nairobi West, Cathedral, City Square, Muthurwa and Parklands substations.
Currently, 22 kilometres of the planned 25.71 kilometres of 66kV transmission lines is complete while installation work on the Likoni Road substation is finalized and pre-commissioning test is ongoing.
“The underground cabling technology is more aesthetic compared to overhead lines and less expensive in terms of land acquisition challenges and wayleaves requirement,” said Dr Tarus.
Kenya Power’s customer base had been growing tremendously over the years calling for investment in the network to ensure adequate power supply. Since June 2013 to date, the number of customers has increased from 2.3 million customers to 6 million.
In the medium term, Kenya Power will focus on four main areas namely; infrastructure development, network management, loss reduction and customer centricity in its strive to improve people’s lives through provision of quality electricity.
Underground cabling is one of the ways in which the Company is expanding and enhancing the capacity of the power distribution network.
Other undertakings geared towards provision of quality electricity include refurbishment of existing substations to enhance their efficiency, construction of additional substations and associated lines and replacement of damaged poles, among others
The underground cabling project is funded by a twenty-year concessional loan from China Exim Bank. It is expected to be completed by the end of July 2017.
The project is being implemented by TBEA Co. Limited as the main contractor and Voacom (K) Limited, H.K Builders and AKS as the local subcontractors.