Stabilization of electric power supply across counties in Kenya will require enhanced training of local expertise and close collaboration with private financiers in Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangements, experts have said.
Some of the counties that are undersupplied include those in Western Kenya such as Migori, Homa Bay, Kakamega, Kisumu, Kisii, Nyamira, Siaya, Kericho, Busia, Bungoma and Kakamega.
Nyandarua County is also among them.
High voltage electricity transmission in Kenya is currently being done by Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (Ketraco).
Ketraco’s 20-year Transmission plan currently requires expansion of the transmission network by approximately 8,948km in circuit length and 15,261MVA transformation capacity.
This is expected to meet the infrastructure financing deficit and ensure that power blackouts in the country are totally eliminated,
These details emerged during a PPP workshop for Engineers convened by professional training experts BCDIP.
“BCDIP is empowering Africa’s professionals so that Africa’s infrastructure is built through intensive programs in Public Private Partnership, soft skills professionals need , construction courses and international certification programs,” says Rose Kananu, Director of BCDIP.
The National Treasury has since 2008 borrowed concessional loans and on-grants for Ketraco from The World Bank, African Development Bank, JICA, French Development Agency (AFD), European Investment Bank, Exim Bank of China, Exim Bank of India, Germany (KfW), The Kingdom of Spain, Belgium and KCB Bank.
The loans and grants have helped us build a national high voltage transmission network of circuit length approximated at 9,385.5km of which 5,919.5km (63.06%) is owned and operated by Ketraco.
In addition, Ketraco has completed and commissioned 46 new substations with 6,555MVA Capacity and 32 bay extensions.
Some key high voltage transmission projects in Kenya starting soon include Mariakani-Dongo Kundu by JICA, Narok-Bomet , Kabarnet – Rumuruti line both funded by AfDB and Korea, STATCOMS at Rabai and Suswa by the World Bank, Kimuka 400kV substation by World Bank, Loiyangalani -Marsabit and Marsabit -Isiolo by China Exim, Makindu 400/132kV line by AFD and the National System Control Centre by AFD and French Treasury.
Examples of PPP infrastructure projects developed in Kenya in recent years include the Nairobi Expressway, Turkana Wind Power and Sosian Power.
PPP-funded projects are also huge employers of professionals including engineers, architects, project managers, quantity surveyors, land surveyors and planners, property developers, lawyers, bankers and supply chain professionals.