High voltage power lines. [Photo/dailymercury.com.au]
A Chinese firm has been awarded Sh13.6 billion contract to construct a high-voltage power transmission line between Garissa and Isiolo by the Ministry of Energy.
"The project involves constructing a new 285km 220kv electricity transmission line and three converting stations," said the Chinese firm.
This new infrastructure as per John Mativo, Ketraco's senior technical adviser will boost power supplies along Lamu Port-South Sudan- Ethiopia-transport corridor from Garissa, Garba Tula, and Isiolo.
"The project also allows the wind and solar power plants to be constructed in that rich renewable energy area and to create alternative paths for the supply of power for Isiolo and Garissa by reinforcing the grid," said Mativo.
Ketraco plans to put up in five years, additional 7000km electricity transmission lines to cut reliance on diesel-generated power in areas not covered by the national grid.
Electricity evacuation from generating stations will be facilitated through the transmission projects as well as reinforcing the grid capacity network for increased capacity and reliability.