Substation investment in Kenya pays off for growing customer base
Kenya, Nairobi: Kenya’s electricity distribution utility, Kenya Power, has added another substation to its growing network.
Image for illustration purposes
Kenya, Nairobi: Kenya’s electricity distribution utility, Kenya Power, has added another substation to its growing network.
This week the power utility launched a 33/11 kV substation in Mtondia, Kilifi County to improve the quality of power supply in the area and cater for a growing customer base.
The new substation, which cost $2.326 M (KSh 249 M), comprises four distribution lines (feeders) that will enhance the stability of the power supply within Kilifi County.
It is one of four substations the power utility is constructing within Kilifi County at a total cost of $11.770 M (KSh 1.26 B) under the Kenya Electricity Modernisation Project (KEMP).
“These new investments will improve the quality of power being supplied to the residents of Kilifi County and its environs given its exponential growth in the last eight years,” said Bernard Ngugi, Kenya Power’s Managing Director and CEO.
In the last five years, Kenya Power has invested over $34.596 M (KSh 3.7 B) in network expansion projects in the Coast region. These projects include the construction of 13 substations, power lines, and the upgrading of existing substations in Kilifi, Mombasa, Kwale, Lamu and Taita Taveta counties.
Emphasising that the company is focused on ensuring that all Kenyans have access to electricity, which is a key driver of economic growth, Ngugi said: “We are carrying out accelerated connectivity projects across the country while at the same time undertaking initiatives that will ensure that the expansion of our customer base does not strain the existing network and compromise the quality of power we sell to our customers.”
Kenya Power is the country’s sole electricity off-taker and currently has a customer base of over eight million customers.
Source: ESI Africa