KETRACO Energises Long-Delayed 132kV Nanyuki-Isiolo Line

The 72km transmission line has been in development since 2012 and now gives parts of Kenya’s Mt Kenya and Upper Eastern regions another electricity supply route.

Kenya’s 132kV Nanyuki-Isiolo electricity line has delivered an immediate rise in voltage at the Nanyuki Substation, after more than a decade of construction delays.

The 72-kilometre transmission line was energised by the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (KETRACO), raising voltage at the Nanyuki Substation from 123kV to 130kV.

KETRACO acting managing director, Kipkemoi Kibias, said the change was recorded immediately after the line was energised.

“Immediately upon energization, the voltage at Nanyuki Substation improved from 123kV to 130kV. That is an immediate benefit of this project.”

The new line is expected to improve electricity reliability in Nanyuki, Isiolo, Meru, Laikipia and nearby areas by providing another transmission route and giving the regional grid more capacity.

The project has been under development since 2012 and includes a new 132kV substation at Isiolo and an expansion of the existing Nanyuki Substation.

Its completion gives the region additional infrastructure to handle electricity needs linked to farming, trade and industrial activities.

Decade-long project finally energised

Kibias said the project had faced challenges since work began but expressed satisfaction that electricity users in the affected areas could now benefit from the infrastructure.

“The journey of this project started in 2012, and despite the challenges, we are happy that today the people of Nanyuki, Isiolo and, by extension, the people of Nyeri, can finally see this long-awaited project come to fruition.”

The transmission line runs for 72km between Nanyuki and Isiolo as a single-circuit 132kV connection.

Part of the route required a different engineering approach because of security restrictions around Laikipia Air Base. About 4.2km was redesigned as an underground cable, with the rest built as overhead transmission infrastructure.

The project is expected to reduce the risk of electricity supply interruptions by giving the region another route through which power can be supplied.

The extra transmission capacity will also provide room for renewable energy projects in Upper Eastern and Northern Kenya.

This gives the new infrastructure significance beyond the immediate Nanyuki-Isiolo connection, as it can support additional electricity generation and supply within the regional network.

The transmission project was financed by KCB Bank Belgium and the Government of Kenya. Financing arrangements with the African Development Bank supported the underground cable section.