The Tanzania-Kenya Power Line Project strives to enhance the power connection between Tanzania and Kenya. Quite impressively, it features an intended transfer capacity of up to 2,000 megawatts.
As a result, it will enable the two countries to share electricity, mainly hydro-power as well as clean energy. Moreover, it will lower reliance on thermal plants for a steady and affordable supply. The Tanzania-Kenya Power Line Project’s funding is through a loan from the African Development Bank (AfDB).
In regard to the 508-kilometer power line project’s progress, the institution has raised concerns over its contractor delaying completion. According to official statements, the bank noted that the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (Ketraco) is yet to compensate families along the power line to Tanzania.
In total, Ketraco is to pay affected families Ksh64.719 million ($486,426). Thereafter, it will pave the way for the project’s completion on the Kenyan side.
Reported On 19 Oct 2015
US$145m approved for Tanzania-Kenya power line project
African Development Bank (AfDB) has made approval for the US$ 145m outstanding loan in Kenya. As a result, it will pave the way for the construction of the 508 km Tanzania-Kenya power line project.
AFDB said in a statement that the funds will see through the construction of a 508 km transmission line and substations. As a whole, it will transmit 2,000MW of electricity between Kenya and Tanzania (about 93 km in Kenya and 415 km in Tanzania).
The 508-km and 400-kilovolt (kV) power lines will potentially enhance regional power connections between the two countries. Furthermore, it will boost access to cheap power. In addition to significantly improving industrial production.
“The project will potentially improve the supply, reliability, and affordability of electricity in the eastern Africa region. More especially, through cross-border exchanges of cheap and cleaner surplus power from neighboring countries,” AfDB said.
The project, on which construction is planned to commence in the next 23 months, has already welcomed interested bidders. Kenya has a vision of adding 5,000 MW on installed capacity by 2017 from its current 1,664 MW. Tanzania also has plans to double its generation capacity to 3,000 MW by 2016.
A transmission line running from Isinya to Namanga was also set for completion by December next year according to a last year’s statement by Energy Cabinet Secretary.
Southern Africa already has a series of interconnections linking countries, including South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique, which allows them to trade power.
