Kenya Power officials at work. [Photo/nation.co.ke]
Kenya Power has energized the Suswa-Isinya-Rabai line paving way for supply of cheap electricity to the Coast region and its environs.
The 400kV line which has initially been charged at 220kV will evacuate power from geothermal plants in Olkaria to the Coast region.
Majority of the Coast region has in the past relied on thermal generators linked to the national grid for electricity supply.
The new development will minimize consumption of thermal power in the region and in turn impact positively on customer bills through a reduction in the monthly fuel cost surcharge.
“The line will improve the quality and reliability of power supply to the Coast region by delivering excess geothermal power to this area. In addition, it will also boost supply in Athi River, Kitengela and Makueni to adequately serve manufacturers and other large establishments,” said Kenya Power’s General Manager for Network Management Eng. Daniel Tare.
Construction of the line completed about a month ago and has been undergoing pre-commissioning tests. It has been put up by Ketraco through funding by bilateral lenders managed by the Ministry of Energy & Petroleum and the Ministry of Finance.
The line will evacuate up to 150 MW of geothermal power. Demand in the Coast region currently stands close to 300MW.
This milestone underscores Kenya Power’s commitment to supply reliable and affordable electricity supply to customers in line with its social economic responsibility to improve people’s lives.