Kenya signs deal on power link from geothermal plants to the region
Power transmission lines in Kenya (source: flickr/ aaron.knox, creative commons)
Alexander Richter
11 Mar 2015
Reuters: "Kenya has signed deals worth $89 million to construct a 313-km high-voltage transmission line to connect geothermal power plants to its western region"
Kenya seems to be moving forward with its plan to export their geothermal power to neighbouring countries by expanding their transmission lines. This also allows for energy imports, increasing energy supply and reducing blackouts.
According to a recent news piece from Reuters “Kenya has signed deals worth 8.14 billion shillings ($89 million) to construct a 313-km high-voltage transmission line to connect geothermal power plants to its western region and help link the grid to neighbouring countries.” As we have said before here, unreliable energy supply acts as a massive hindrance both for Kenyans and business owners, and “a series of projects initiated by the state aim to improve power distribution and link Kenya’s grid to its neighbours.”
By improving and expanding transmission lines the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company Ltd “said the project signed on Tuesday would link geothermal plants in the Rift Valley’s Olkaria region to western Kenya by March 2017.” according to Reuters.
This will also help reduce the costs of electricity generation by providing more ground for renewable development and phase out diesel power generation.
Source: Reuters
