By The Weekly Vision News Desk
The Kenya Electricity Transmission Company Limited (KETRACO) has energised the 132kV Nanyuki-Isiolo Transmission Line, marking a major milestone in efforts to strengthen electricity supply and transmission capacity in Kenya’s Upper Eastern region.
The project is expected to improve the reliability and stability of electricity supply in Isiolo, Meru, Laikipia and the wider Upper Eastern region, while providing additional transmission capacity to meet rising electricity demand and support economic and industrial development. The project includes a 72-kilometre, 132kV single-circuit transmission line linking Nanyuki to Isiolo, a new 132kV substation in Isiolo, and expansion of the existing Nanyuki Substation.
Approximately 4.2 kilometres of the line near Nanyuki was redesigned from overhead transmission to underground cable infrastructure because of security restrictions around the Laikipia Air Base. The wider project also includes a 65-kilometre 132kV single-circuit overhead transmission line and a two-kilometre 132kV single-circuit overhead transmission line on triple-circuit towers.
According to KETRACO, the new infrastructure will provide greater redundancy by enabling alternative power supply routes to Nanyuki, Kutus, Meru, Isiara, Kieni, Kiganjo and Isiolo. The company said in a statement that the additional transmission capacity would also support the LAPSSET Corridor and facilitate the integration of renewable energy developments in the region.
KETRACO Board Director Mercylnate Rotich, who was standing in for the Board Chairperson, said the energisation represented an important milestone in advancing the Government’s green-energy agenda and extending reliable electricity access to previously underserved areas. She commended KETRACO staff for their role in completing the project.
Speaking at the energisation ceremony in Nanyuki, KETRACO Acting Managing Director Eng. Kipkemoi Kibias said the project had been a long-awaited undertaking whose journey began in 2012. “Despite the challenges, we are happy that today the people of Nanyuki, Isiolo and, by extension, the people of Nyeri, can finally see this long-awaited project come to fruition,” he said.
Kibias said the project was part of KETRACO’s wider effort to complete stalled projects while advancing new transmission developments. “For the Mount Kenya region, this is one of the most consequential transmission lines, but KETRACO is not stopping there,” he said, adding that the company intended to pursue the initially planned project connecting Loyangalani, Marsabit and Isiolo to further strengthen the region’s transmission network.
He said KETRACO was taking measures to ensure that the required voltage levels and additional transmission capacity were achieved to support the region’s growing industrial and economic needs. The project is expected to reduce electricity interruptions, enhance grid stability and improve the quality of power supplied to agricultural, industrial, commercial and public-service activities across the region.
KETRACO said the line would also facilitate the integration and evacuation of electricity generated by future renewable-energy projects in Upper Eastern and Northern Kenya. The new infrastructure is expected to provide an alternative power supply route, improving grid redundancy, security, transmission capacity and operational flexibility.
The project was financed by KCB Bank Belgium and the Government of Kenya, while the underground cable component was supported through financing arrangements with the African Development Bank. KETRACO said the initial works were undertaken by CG Holding Limited of Belgium, while completion works for the overhead transmission line were carried out by Burhani Engineers Limited.
The underground cable component was implemented by a consortium comprising Dongfang Electric International Corporation and Qingdao Hanhе Cable Company Limited. KETRACO said it expects to energise the 132kV Nanyuki-Rumuruti Transmission Line within three weeks, marking another step in efforts to strengthen the transmission network serving the Mount Kenya region.
The company said the completed projects would provide the transmission infrastructure required to meet rising electricity demand while supporting Kenya’s broader economic and renewable-energy ambitions.
