Kenya Power has announced the completion of an inter-connector project between Kitui and Machakos counties at a cost of KSh 22 million(equivalent of $170,268.64.)
According to the company, the project will strengthen the stability of electricity supply around SEKU University, as well as in the Kwavonza and Katangini areas of Machakos County.
It will also provide an alternative power source to customers in parts of Machakos.
“This project will enhance service delivery and customer experience by improving the quality of power supply. Previously, SEKU University and adjacent customers were served by the Masii power line that runs from Katoloni in Machakos County, which often experienced outages due to its expansiveness,” said John Wanyoike, Kenya Power’s Kitui County Business Manager.
To further expand electricity access in Kitui County and reduce losses caused by overstretched power lines, Kenya Power plans to construct a substation at Mbitini.
The substation will boost power supply and reduce outages in areas such as Zombe, Ikanga, Voo, and Ikutha.
Over the last two years, the company has also completed a major upgrade of its Kitui Substation, doubling its capacity to 10 MVA. This was complemented by the construction of a dedicated power line to the substation — a move that has significantly improved power supply reliability to Kitui town and surrounding communities.
“The demand for electricity has been soaring recently, mainly from upcoming light industries and other customers connected to the grid. To meet this demand, we increased the capacity at the Kitui Substation and dedicated a 33kV line to it, with no other connections on the line. Prior to these upgrades, we frequently experienced power outages because the substation’s capacity was not adequate to serve all customers,” added Mr. Wanyoike.
Currently, more than 94,000 households within Kitui County are connected to the national grid. Under the ongoing Phase IV of the Last Mile Connectivity Project, the company is targeting an additional 7,500 household connections.
To improve infrastructure resilience in Kitui County, Kenya Power has also replaced approximately 1,200 wooden poles affected by termites with concrete poles — investing nearly KSh 140 million in this undertaking during the last financial year.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
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