The high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission link is scheduled to go into operation by end 2018.“Development of energy infrastructure and a reliable power supply is vital to Kenya’s economic development and industrialisation strategy,” Sabine Dall‘Omo, Siemens chief executive for southern and eastern Africa said.

 

“This project will enable the expansion of Kenya’s electrical grid and help to provide secure energy supply for East Africa’s economic development” The project is part of a strategy under the East African Power Pool (EAPP) to improve connectivity and supply of power across the entire east Africa. It will also make it possible to expand alternating-current (AC) power grids from Kenya to countries like Uganda and Tanzania.

 

Power lines connecting the east African states of Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya and Ethiopia are expected to be completed within the next three years, helping improve supplies and power trading. Other African regions have already connected their grids. Southern Africa has a series of links between South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Mozambique, allowing them to trade power.

 

The Kenya-Ethiopia link will be a 500 kilovolt (kV) line, while the lines to Uganda and Tanzania will be 400 kV. The line to Uganda would then connect Rwanda and Burundi. Addis Ababa aims to become Africa’s top power exporter by tapping the numerous rivers that cascade through its highlands, and experts say Ethiopia has the potential to generate 45,000 megawatts of hydropower

 

Siemens will supply the High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) core technology such as converter valves, converter transformers, smoothing reactors, protection and control equipment, as well as AC and direct-current (DC) filters. Isolux Corsan will be responsible for the construction, installation and equipment in the converter and AC substations.

Source : www.trademarkea.com