Lawmakers in Kenya have identified 18 electricity transmission projects they urge the government to expedite to alleviate the burden of high electricity costs on consumers. The National Assembly’s Energy Committee, chaired by Mwala MP Vincent Musau, highlighted that system losses during power transmission cost customers KSh 6 billion annually, despite being unrelated to outdated infrastructure causing these losses.
Key projects include the Sondu-Homa Bay-Ndhiwa line to stabilize Western Kenya’s power supply and the Narok-Bomet line to reduce dependence on Muhoroni gas turbines. The Rabai-Kilifi line and Mariakani substation aim to phase out thermal generators and evacuate Olkaria’s power to the Coast.
Other critical lines are the Turkwel-Ortum for hydroelectric power evacuation, Garsen-Hola-Bura for regional reliability, and the Nanyuki-Isiolo line to enhance supply in Nanyuki and Kiganjo. Nairobi Ring substations at Isinya, Athi River, Kimuka, and Malaa were also cited to prevent overloading and support metropolitan power demands.
The MPs urged the completion of the Lessos-Tororo Interconnector for regional grid stability and the Kamburu-Embu-New Thika-Ruaraka line to strengthen Nairobi’s power supply. Additionally, they called for fast-tracking nine projects nearing completion under public-private partnerships, including the Kiambere-Maua-Isiolo and Kilifi-Mtwapa-Mariakani lines.
The committee proposed measures to reduce system losses, such as high-efficiency transformers, smart grid technologies, and accurate loss measurement systems, which could save consumers KSh 6 billion annually. They also pressed for renegotiation of contracts with Independent Power Producers (IPPs) to achieve competitive rates.
Kenya Power, heavily reliant on independent producers, reported paying KSh 150.6 billion for power purchases in the fiscal year ending June 2024, driven by increased demand and high exchange rates. MPs also advocated for the transition to green energy sources and retiring thermal plants operated by IPPs.
