The Isinya–Singida High Voltage Power Line is a high voltage electricity power line, under construction, connecting the high voltage substation at Isinya, Kenya to another high voltage substation at Singida, Tanzania.[1]
| Isinya–Singida High Voltage Power Line | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
| Country | Kenya and Tanzania |
| Coordinates | 1°59′42″S 36°48′00″E / 1.9950°S 36.8000°E |
| General direction | North to South |
| From | Isinya, Kenya |
| To | Singida, Tanzania |
| Ownership information | |
| Owner | Government of Kenya & Government of Tanzania |
| Partners | African Development Bank |
| Operator | Kenya Electricity Transmission Company & Tanzania Electric Supply Company |
| Construction information | |
| Contractors | North China Power Engineering Company Limited |
| Expected | 2024 |
| Technical information | |
| Type of current | AC |
| Total length | 315.5 mi (507.7 km) |
| AC voltage | 400kV |
| No. of circuits | 2 |
Location edit
The power line starts at Isinya, in Kajiado County, about 58 kilometres (36 mi) south of Nairobi,[2] and runs in a southerly direction for approximately 109 kilometres (68 mi) to the border with Tanzania at Namanga.[3]
At Namanga the power line crosses into Tanzania and follows a southerly direction to Arusha, a distance of about 110 kilometres (68 mi) from Namanga.[4] From Arusha the line travels in a south-westerly direction for about 325 kilometres (202 mi) to end at Singida.[5] According to the African Development Bank, 93.1 kilometres (58 mi) of the line are located in Kenya and 414.5 kilometres (258 mi) are located in Tanzania, for total length of 507.6 kilometres (315 mi).[1]
Overview edit
As far back as 2015, Kenya, Tanzania and Zambia began to explore the amount of electricity that can be moved along high voltage power lines linking the three countries. The objective was to exchange electricity between the Eastern Africa Power Pool to which both Kenya and Tanzania belong, and the Southern African Power Pool to which Tanzania ad Zambia belong. Each country would build and maintain the infrastructure within its borders.[6] Kenya and Tanzania sought a joint consultant to advise on the project.[7] A joint Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) in both countries was carried out in 2014, funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB).[1]
Construction in Kenya edit
In October 2017, Ketraco, the Kenyan electricity transportation monopoly awarded the construction contract for a 400kV substation at Isinya and the 96 kilometres (60 mi) 400kV high tension line from Isinya to Namanga, to North China Power Engineering Company Limited (NCPE).[8] The work will be jointly financed by Kenyan government at US$4.25 million and the AfDB which will offer US$22.42 million in loans. Construction was expected to take 22 months.[9]
In 2023, the development was met with construction delays related to compensation of landowners and lack of sufficient capital to do so.[10] In January 2024, Business Daily Africa reported that completion of construction was expected in 2024.[11] In March 2024, The EastAfrican reported that construction was completed but testing and calibration was ongoing with test completion planned for the end of April 2024.[12]
Construction in Tanzania edit
The work in Tanzania involves the construction of approximately 415 kilometres (258 mi) of double circuit high tension power lines, from Namanga, through Arusha to Singida, a 400kV substation in Arusha and another 400kV substation in Singida. The work is budgeted at US$258.82 million.[9]
The section between Singida and Babati was contracted to Kalpataru Power Transmission Limited of India. The Babati to Arusha section was contracted to Bouygues Energies & Services of France. Kenya is expected to establish a 400kV connection to Ethiopia, while Tanzania is expected to establish a similar 400kV connection to Zambia. This will enable seamless power sales between the four countries.[13]
Other considerations edit
In May 2024, as Kenya and Tanzania were hurrying to complete this power transmission line, the EastAfrican reported that the 400kV transmission line between Tanzania and Zambia is under construction and is scheduled for completion in November 2025. At that time Eastern Africa Power Pool countries will be able to trade power with the countries of the Southern Africa Power Pool.[14]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ a b c Asfaw S; Kulemeka N; et al. (July 2014). "Multinational Kenya–Tanzania Power Interconnection Project: Country : Kenya and Tanzania: Project Number : P-Z1- FA0-052" (PDF). Abidjan, Ivory Coast: African Development Bank. Retrieved 19 October 2016.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Google (31 January 2024). "Distance between Nairobi, Nairobi County, Kenya and Isinya, Kajiado County, Kenya" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
- ^ Google (31 January 2024). "Distance between Isinya, Kajiado County, Kenya and Namanga, Kajiado County, Kenya" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
- ^ Google (31 January 2024). "Distance between Namanga, Kajiado County, Kenya And Arusha, Arusha Region, Tanzania" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
- ^ Google (31 January 2024). "Distance between Arusha, Arusha Region, Tanzania and Singida, Singida Region, Tanzania" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
- ^ "Zambia, Tanzania, Kenya to assess power output on high-voltage power line". Reuters. New York City: Thomson-Reuters. 19 October 2015. Archived from the original on 3 April 2019. Retrieved 19 October 2016.
- ^ "Kenya, Tanzania seek consultant for cross-border power lines". The EastAfrican Quoting Reuters. Nairobi. 9 February 2015. Retrieved 19 October 2016.
- ^ Otuki, Neville (18 October 2016). "Chinese firm to build KSh2.6 billion power line to Tanzania". Business Daily Africa. Nairobi. Retrieved 19 October 2016.
- ^ a b Anyanzwa, James (18 October 2016). "Work on Kenya-Tanzania powerline set to begin". The EastAfrican. Nairobi. Retrieved 19 October 2016.
- ^ Anita Anyango (5 April 2023). "Completion of Kenya-Tanzania Power Interconnection Project to delay". Pumps-Africa. Nairobi, Kenya. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
- ^ John Mutua (31 January 2024). "AfDB wants Kenya, Dar electricity deals finalised". Business Daily Africa. Nairobi, Kenya. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
- ^ "Kenya misses target to commission over 500km power line to Tanzania". The EastAfrican. Nairobi, Kenya. 25 March 2024. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
- ^ Bob Karashani (9 February 2019). "Tanzania-Kenya joint power project kicks into high gear". The EastAfrican. Nairobi, Kenya. Retrieved 11 February 2019.
- ^ Brian Ambani (1 May 2024). "Power line linking Kenya to southern Africa set for 2025". The EastAfrican. Nairobi, Kenya. Retrieved 1 May 2024.