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Tanzania power link to ease energy crisis
Attempts by Kenya to avert an energy crisis have received a boost with the announcement of plans to set up a power link with Tanzania.
Already, preliminary studies are underway to pave way for the interlinking, according to Desire Nzayanga, the power sector specialist at the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) at a recent workshop in Arusha.
The workshop’s theme was Providing Energy for Africa’s Growth.
It was one of the four held to mark the 10th anniversary of NBI.
Mr Nzayanga said that the line linking Nairobi to Arusha was one of a series of interconnections lined up for countries in the Nile Basin.
“Multiple interconnections are underway to enable Burundi, Uganda, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Kenya to regularly exchange electricity and avert future energy crises,” Mr Nzayanga told participants at the workshop.
Transmission lines
Under the plan, transmission lines will soon be set up to connect Ethiopia and Sudan in a move meant to ensure that the two countries exchange power routinely, besides sharing benefits of future power generation projects.
The East African Community (EAC) has embarked on developing a regional power master plan and grid code in conjunction with the East African Power Pool covering 10 countries including Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda.
The 15 month study that kicked off in October is expected to develop a blueprint for the region’s power system over the next 25 years.
The EAC has already developed an East African power master plan that includes a cross-border electrification programme where border towns are served by the nearest grid, even if it falls in another country.
The model has been implemented in Lungalunga, Taveta and Lwakhakha in Kenya; Mutukula, Kikagati and Gisoro in Uganda; and Horohoro, Holili and Murongo in Tanzania.
EAC indicated that studies had been finalised for key transmission lines that will result in interconnection of the region.
This includes lines linking Uganda and Rwanda, Rwanda and Burundi, and Kenya and Uganda.
An NBI statement NBI indicated that among future power investments include the Regional Rusumo Falls Hydropower Project that covers Burundi, Rwanda and Tanzania, and the Joint Multi-purpose Project targeting Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan.
RSS