The National System Control Centre Project received a major boost when the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum and KETRACO adopted France’s assistance. French Minister Delegate Thani Mohamed Soilihi visited the NSCC construction site in Embakasi, Nairobi, on Friday. The trip was a significant milestone in bilateral energy cooperation. The project is a French-Kenyan partnership to be funded by the French Treasury and French Development Agency (AFD). At a cost of Sh12 billion, the National System Control Centre Project aims to modernize the electricity network of Kenya. GE Vernova and Larsen & Toubro are constructing it. They have experience in integrating new technology with construction infrastructure. Once done, the NSCC will stabilize electricity, reduce blackouts, and provide renewable power. It will also improve access to electricity and minimal loss during transmission. The French Ambassador reaffirmed France’s pledge to support Kenya’s transition to energy and regional sustainability goals during the visit.
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Relevance of the National System Control Centre Project
The National System Control Centre Project is the pivot upon which the future electricity reliability in Kenya shall rotate. It enhances the stability of the power grid and allows for seamless green energy integration. It also enables economic development by powering homes and industries. The NSCC also forms part of the broader €94 million AFD RETNET program. This includes a digital substation at Makindu, Nairobi Ring infrastructure, as well as technical training. In addition, an EU grant of €7 million, brokered by AFD, pays for grid management skills. KETRACO to gain significantly in terms of operational capacity and knowledge transfer. The project will link Kenya to Eastern and Southern African power networks. It therefore increases electricity trade and economic integration in the region. It also facilitates projects like the Zambia–Tanzania Interconnector commissioned on April 2025. NSCC will be an important node of cross-border energy transmissions when completed.
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