Construction of the Lamu – Nairobi East overhead electricity transmission line, which is expected to start this year after approval by National Environmental Management Authority, will cost US$ 3.5m.
The line will be constructed on Kenya’s Coast to Nairobi. Procurement of various goods and services and contracting of the construction firm and other consultants would be done once the approval is granted and after social impact assessment study is complete, according to African Nature & Environmental Conservation Trust’s lead ESIA expert, Bernard Kamondo.
The activities that will take place during the construction phase of the 520km Lamu line will include erecting support structures (pylons), installing conductors and insulators and other facilities.
“The operational phase of the project will include maintenance of way leaves, inspections and repairs. The pylons will require little maintenance,” said Mr Kamondo.
The project will be built by a consortium of firms and it is confirmed that it will transfer 1,000MW of electricity to Nairobi from the Lamu coal power plant.
The development of the 400 kilovolt (kV) facility will help Kenya Electricity Transmission Company to transmit 1, 000MW of power from the upcoming Lamu coal power plant to Nairobi. The Lamu coal power plant is being built by a consortium led by Kenya’s Centum Investment and Gulf Energy. The plant will use coal imported from South Africa. The consortium also includes China’s Sichuan Electric Power Design and Consulting Company Ltd, Sichuan Power Construction Company and China Huadian Corporation Power Operation Company.
Earlier this year, Kenya Power announced that it would spend US$25m in extending lines around the country.
