A consortium led by the German engineering group, Siemens, has won a contract to build a 1 000 kilometre high voltage power line linking Kenya and Ethiopia that will transmit 2 000 megawatts (Mw) hydropower from Ethiopia.
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,” said Sabine Dall‘Omo, Siemens chief executive for southern and eastern Africa.
“This project will enable the expansion of Kenya’s electrical grid and help to provide a 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 such as 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.
