Kenya Power urged to work on transmission infrastructure
Power transmission lines in Kenya (source: flickr/ aaron.knox, creative commons)
Alexander Richter
14 Mar 2014
In order to handle the increasing power generation capacity, Kenya Power is urged to quickly work on plans on how to improve transmission infrastructure. With large geothermal development in the country, the power of that will have to reach consumers.
In news today from Nairobi, Kenya’s Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir is said to have “challenged Kenya Power to quickly work on its inefficiencies and ensure that it will be able to handle and supply more power expected in the national grid in the next 40 months.
He said delays in upgrading and expanding the transmission systems will lead the national power supplier being overwhelmed and unable to absorb the high amount of energy. He says Kenya Power should also work on proper use of resources to ensure more funds are allocated to modern infrastructure.
With the government plan of over 5,000 MW in power production by 2017, the national transmission system managed by Kenya Power might not be able to handle it and deliver electricity to consumers.
The 5000MW additional generation capacity will be developed from 1,646MW of geothermal, Natural Gas 1,050MW, 630MW from wind and coal 1,920MW, all under the framework of public private partnership (PPP).
Currently, Kenya Power has the capacity to off take and supply 1664MW. This comprises 770MW of hydro, 241MW geothermal, 622MW thermal, co-generation 26MW and wind 5.1MW. On the list of projects expected to increase demand for electricity includes construction of the standard gauge railway, setting up of Konza city and other ICT towns.
The CS was speaking on Friday during a workshop to discuss the National Energy Policy and Energy Bill, 2014.
“The overall objective of the Bill is to ensure competitive, affordable, sustainable, reliable supply of energy to meet national and county development needs while protecting and conserving the environment,” he said. The Bill is expected before Parliament by July this year.
Source: Capital FM
