Kenya to import electricity from Ethiopia

Kenya will sign a power purchase agreement this week with Ethiopia that will kick-off a massive project that will see the country get an additional 400MW by 2016.

Speaking on Monday in Nairobi, Energy minister Kiraitu Murungi said the project will cost Sh64 billion, with Kenya constructing a 612 kilometres high voltage line and Ethiopia 443 kilometres on its side of the border.

The line will have the capacity to transmit 2,000MW. "We are discussing how to transmit 400MW from Ethiopia to Kenya through high voltage line stretching 4,000 kilometres. It is an expensive project that will cost us Sh64 billion," the minister said.

He added: "We are almost through with negotiations that started in 2009. By today many issues will be completed after which we will make a comprehensive statement." Mr Kiraitu said.

The minister said the project fits in the country’s plan to up-scale energy sources to meet the objectives of Vision 2030, a blueprint meant to turn Kenya into a medium income economy in 19 years.

He said Ethiopia was endowed with huge hydro power sources that the region would tap from to support development.

Timetable

Energy permanent secretary Patrick Nyoike said the funding of the project was already secured from the World Bank, African Development Bank and French Agency for Development and implementation would start immediately the discussions with Ethiopia are completed.

"Our timetable is to have the project completed by 2016, but we could have it much earlier," Mr Nyoike said.

 

Credits: MWANIKI WAHOME/Africa Review

 

This article was originally posted on Sustainable Development Africa Platform

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