KETRACO powers Ksh 4.9B Kenya-Tanzania energy line
Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (KETRACO) has energized the 400kV transmission line linking Kenya and Tanzania.
The completion of the regional interconnector financed collectively by the Government of Kenya (GoK) and the African Development Bank (AfDB) to the tune of Ksh 1.9 billion and Ksh 3 billion respectively is anticipated to boost regional electrical energy commerce and strengthen vitality ties between the 2 East African Community (EAC) accomplice states.
KETRACO says the energization and synchronization of the 2 electrical energy grids was agreed upon by KETRACO, Tanzania Electricity Supply Company Limited (TANESCO) and Kenya Power.
“This regional interconnector will enhance the reliability of the interconnected power system, ensuring more sustainable and dependable electricity access. It will also create opportunities for large-scale, efficient renewable energy projects across the region, while helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions by exporting affordable renewable power to countries reliant on fossil fuels.” stated Mativo.
The mission concerned development of 510km of High Voltage Alternating Current (HVAC) transmission line from Kenya to Tanzania, the extension of Isinya (Kenya), and Singida (Tanzania) substations in addition to the development of the Arusha substation.
On Kenya’s aspect, it concerned the development of 96km of 400kV transmission line from Isinya substation to the Namanga boarder and the extension of the 400/220kV Isinya substation.
The Tanzanian half concerned the development of a 414km 400kV transmission line from Namanga boarder to Singida, development of the 400kV Arusha substation in addition to the extension of the 220/33kV Singida substation.
The interconnector kinds a part of the Eastern Electricity Highway which is able to facilitate commerce within the area.
This growth comes at a time when 13 member states of the Eastern Africa Power Pool (EAPP) have agreed to formally start cross border transmission and commerce in different vitality platforms from March 2025.
Additionally, the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) between Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) and TANESCO outlines an influence commerce between Ethiopia and Tanzania, transmitted by means of Kenya’s transmission community.
TANESCO plans to buy 100MW from EEP, with the quantity set to extend to 200MW over the subsequent three years. To facilitate this energy commerce, KETRACO and TANESCO have agreed on a wheeling association, permitting KETRACO to earn income for offering the transmission service by means of the Ethiopia-Kenya-Tanzania (EKT) energy transaction.
Kenya has signed an influence alternate settlement with Tanzania to assist this transaction. The EKT energy transaction would be the first wheeling transaction inside the EAPP and can function a case examine for growing the EAPP energy market transmission pricing methodology, set for early 2025.
