Mombasa-Nairobi High Voltage Line

Following sustained economic growth and new customer connections, Kenya's electricity demand is facing transmission challenges, particularly in Nairobi. The electric distribution network is small and overloaded. The improvement of the electric distribution infrastructure requires a huge investment in order to meet demand. Given the concentration of electricity demand in the Nairobi area and the location of thermal generation units on the coast (the point of arrival of hydrocarbons and coal), the 450-kilometer link between Nairobi and Mombasa is increasingly playing an important role in serving the capital. The Nairobi-Mombasa link, currently consisting of a 220-kilovolt line and a second 132-kilovolt single-circuit line used for distribution, is insufficient. The new link in progress will also facilitate interconnections with Tanzania and Zambia.

The project includes the construction of a very high voltage double line between Nairobi and Mombasa, and is structured around two components: component 1 - support: which includes recruitment of a consulting engineer to KPLC for the implementation of the project.  Component 2 - works: covers strengthening the network between Nairobi and Mombasa through (i) the construction of 450 km double circuit 400 kV line between the substations of Isinya (located south of Nairobi) and Rabai (input Mombasa); (ii) the 24 km 220 kV link between the Isinya and Embakasi substations, of which about 5 km in the sub-field and 19 km overhead, and (iii) equipment connecting lines in Rabai and Embakasi sub-stations.

This project will notably: support the development of the country's economic electricity system by guaranteeing access to a reliable and economical electricity supply, improve the reliability of the network and contribute to the reduction of technical losses to reach an average level of 3.5% on the distribution network, and reduce economic and environmental costs by allowing the development of the generating fleet on the coast to provide an additional peak load of the system of 540 megawatts and save 100,000 tons of CO2 per year.