The Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (KETRACO) has energized the 400/220kV Mariakani Substation, marking a significant step toward ensuring a reliable and stable electricity supply across Kenya’s Coastal region.
The project was financed through a partnership between the Government of Kenya and the African Development Bank (AfDB) at a total cost of KES 3 billion. It was executed by China CAMC Engineering Co. and supervised by KETRACO.
The Mariakani Substation serves as a critical power gateway linking the Coast to Nairobi’s national transmission grid. By reinforcing this link at 400kV, KETRACO is unlocking a more stable electricity supply to support industrial growth, attract investment, and improve the quality of life for millions of Kenyans.
The energized substation forms part of the Nairobi–Mombasa Transmission Line, which is designed to carry more than 1,000MW of electricity between the two regions and ease pressure on the Coast’s power network.
The 400/220kV Mariakani Substation is a strategic component in strengthening Kenya’s national power transmission grid and underpinning the resilience of the regional interconnected power system. KETRACO believes that reinforcing the grid is essential to fully realize the operational benefits of the 500kV Ethiopia–Kenya and 400kV Kenya–Tanzania interconnectors.
The substation will also play a key role in Kenya’s push toward 100 percent clean energy by 2030, enabling increased transmission of geothermal power from Olkaria, wind power from the Lake Turkana Wind Power Plant, and hydropower imports from Ethiopia to the Coast region.
“With this development, the Coast will significantly reduce its reliance on expensive and polluting diesel power, especially during peak evening hours. Cleaner, reliable, and stable energy will now flow more efficiently, lowering costs and stabilizing supply,” said KETRACO Acting Managing Director, Eng. Kipkemoi Kibias.
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