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Sh1.63bn project to boost power supply in North Rift

tarus

Kenya Power managing director Ken Tarus. FILE PHOTO | NMG

Electricity distributor Kenya Power is setting up new substations and power lines in the North Rift at a cost of Sh1.63 billion to boost supply ahead of construction of a proposed industrial hub.

The region, the country’s food basket and home to several industries, has for long relied on two supply lines (Turkwel-Lessos and Olkaria-Lessos) whose capacity has been outstripped by demand, hurting consumers.

Demand is further expected to rise with the planned construction of a special economic zone in Eldoret that will host dozens of factories.

“To address the situation, we have constructed a number of substations and additional distribution lines to serve the region. Six of these substations have been completed and the remaining are scheduled for completion this year,” managing director Ken Tarus said during a meeting with large power users.

These consumers, mostly manufacturers, use at least 15,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity per month, or 180,000 units per year.

The industrial users were represented in the meeting by their lobby, Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM).

The North Rift consumes on average use 30 gigawatt hours (GWh) per month, equivalent to 30 million kWh.

The proposed industrial complex will be set up by Chinese firm Guangdong New South Group Ltd.

The company last year signed a multi-billion shilling deal with the government to build an industrial park at the special economic zone in Eldoret.

Last month, the electricity distributor announced it had set aside Sh1.5 billion to upgrade power supply infrastructure in Nyanza.