The project will cost Sh13.2 billion, and will comprise 30.71 kilometres of 220/66 kiloVolts of underground transmission lines. The lines are being connected to the new substation in the City Centre near Laico Hotel from the six 66kV-line substations around Nairobi.

 

This will create a redundant network which will be switched on in case of an electricity interruption on the overhead lines.

 

Managing director Ben Chumo said the underground cabling project, funded by China's Exim Bank, will cut way leave costs, vandalism, and other forms of interference on the overhead lines.

 

“We are focused on bringing down system losses in our network from the current 19 per cent to single-digit figures in the medium term,” Chumo said.

 

China's TBEA is the main contractor, with AKS East Africa, Voacom Networks and HK Builders as subcontractors.

 

The project, which was to initially start in July, was delayed by lengthy way leave negotiations with public institutions, Chumo said, adding that a deal with the Kenya Wildlife Services is still on the table.

 

“I want to request for solutions particularly for those institutions so that they appreciate and recognise that these projects belong to the country,” he said. “The earlier we agree to have these way leaves available to KPLC, the better for the entire country including them.”

 

The second phase of the project, Chumo said, will be implemented in other parts of the country on a "business case basis".

Source : www.the-star.co.ke