The Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (KETRACO) has successfully completed and energized the 400kV transmission line linking Kenya and Tanzania.
This significant milestone enhances regional electricity trade and strengthens energy ties between the two East African nations.
The $309.26 million project, financed by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Government of Kenya, involved the construction of a 510km High Voltage Alternating Current (HVAC) transmission line from Kenya to Tanzania.
The project also included the extension of Isinya (Kenya) and Singida (Tanzania) substations, as well as the construction of the Arusha substation.
The Kenya-Tanzania Interconnector project forms part of the Eastern Electricity Highway, facilitating trade in the region.
This development comes as 13 member states of the Eastern Africa Power Pool (EAPP) prepare to officially begin cross-border transmission and trade in other energy platforms from March 2025.
The Kenya-Tanzania line will harness renewable energy mix in the region.
Additionally, the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) between Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) and Tanzania Electric Supply Company Limited (TANESCO) outlines a power trade between Ethiopia and Tanzania, transmitted through Kenya’s transmission network.
The EKT power transaction will be the first wheeling transaction within the EAPP and will serve as a case study for developing the EAPP power market transmission pricing methodology, set for early 2025.
Speaking during the EAPP conference which focused on strategies for energy integration, KETRACO Managing Director, Dr. Eng. John Mativo, MBS, highlighted key outcomes and benefits of the regional integration.
“This regional interconnector will enhance the reliability of the interconnected power system, ensuring more sustainable and dependable electricity access. It will also create opportunities for large-scale, efficient renewable energy projects across the region, while helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions by exporting affordable renewable power to countries reliant on fossil fuels.” said Mativo.
He added that the project will facilitate power exchange between Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, the Southern Africa Power Pool and Sudan and Egypt in the north as well as enhance access to cheap electricity through the East African power pool by economic merit order dispatch.
The EAPP power trade has been approved and all the required regulations and tariffs are in place to ensure full transparency and implementation.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com