- “As a ministry we are committed to implementing these interventions to ensure security of supply and more reliable quality of service to Kenyans.”
- Kenya Power has since restored electricity in 70 per cent of areas affected by power outages across the country Friday morning.
Image: FILE
Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi has said Friday’s widespread power outage was a result of sub-optimal investment in energy infrastructure.
In a statement, the CS said the ministry sector is looking into short-term and long-term interventions to address the challenge which include bringing on board the private sector to supplement government efforts.
Wandayi said the ministry is pursuing the lifting of the moratorium on Power Purchase Agreements imposed by the National Assembly.
He added that the ministry will fast-track the implementation of baseload (hydro, geothermal) generation projects to improve energy security and provide adequate spinning reserves.
Wandayi added that the government will enhance grid flexibility and resilience by completing several projects.
He named the projects - Turkwell-Ortum-Kitale, Sondu-Ndhiwa, Nanyuki-Isiolo, Narok – Bomet, Mariakani substation, repair of Loiyangalani – Suswa Transmission line for double circuit operation and migration from 220kV to 400kV operation, completion of ground electrode for HVDC for bipolar operation, Lessos substation and installation of STATCOM for voltage regulation at Suswa and Rabai.
He added that the government will also fast-track construction of alternative evacuation lines.
He named the lines - Gilgil-Thika-Malaa-Konza 400kV to complete the Nairobi Ring to decongest Suswa Complex, Rongai-Keringet-Chemosit to decongest Kisumu-Muhoroni-Chemosit and Menengai-Olkalao-Rumuruti to provide access to Mt Kenya region to geothermal power.
“As a ministry, we are committed to implementing these interventions to ensure security of supply and more reliable quality of service to Kenyans,” he stated.
Wandayi explained that the power outage occurred when the 220kV High Voltage Loiyangalani transmission line tripped at the Suswa substation while evacuating 288MW from the Lake Turkana Wind Power (LTWP) plant.
“This was followed by a trip on the Ethiopia – Kenya 500kV DC interconnector that was then carrying 200MW, resulting in a total loss of 488MW. The total demand in the system at the time was 1790 MW,” he added.
He stated that the loss of 488MW, accounting for 27.3 per cent of the total generation, resulted in cascade failure and partial collapse of the grid.
“This affected most regions of the country except parts of Western Kenya, which was supported by supply through the interconnector to Tororo, Uganda,” he noted.
Wandayi said restoration efforts commenced immediately and in earnest.
“As of 11.30 am, we had normalised supply to parts of North Rift, Central Rift, Nairobi and Mt Kenya regions," he said.
"This includes major towns and cities such as Nyeri, Embu, Kirinyaga, Nanyuki, Nakuru, Naivasha, Thika, Eldoret, Kericho, Kakamega, Siaya, Busia, Vihiga, Kisumu, Bungoma and Webuye."
Kenya Power has since restored electricity in 70 per cent of areas affected by power outages across the country Friday morning.