Siemens to Build 1,000km Power Link Between Kenya and Ethiopia

Global engineering firm Siemens has been appointed in consortium with construction company Isolux Corsan to build a 1,000 kilometer power line that will transmit 2,000 megawatts (MW) of environmentally friendly hydroelectric energy from Ethiopia to Kenya.

It is one of East Africa’s biggest infrastructure projects. The high-voltage direct-current (HVDC) transmission link is scheduled to go into operation by end 2018.

The Ethiopia-Kenya Power Systems Interconnection Project will create much-needed power transmission capacity and improve the exchange of energy between Ethiopia and Kenya. It will also make it possible to expand alternating-current (AC) power grids from Kenya to countries like Uganda and Tanzania.

“Development of energy infrastructure and a reliable power supply is vital to Kenya’s economic development and industrialisation strategy,” said Sabine Dall‘Omo, Siemens chief executive for southern and eastern Africa.

“This project will enable the expansion of Kenya’s electrical grid and help to provide a secure energy supply for East Africa’s economic development.” The project will enhance the East African Power Pool (EAPP) by increasing power supply while reducing energy costs.

The total value of project is approximately US$450 million, financed by the World Bank and the African Development Bank. The project order was placed by the Kenya Electricity Transmission Co. Ltd. (KETRACO) and Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation (EEPCO).

The bipolar system has a capacity of 2,000 MW and will connect two converter stations with a direct-current +/-500-kilovolt overhead line. Siemens will supply the HVDC core technology, such as converter valves with direct light-triggered power thyristors, converter transformers, smoothing reactors, protection and control equipment, as well as AC and direct-current (DC) filters. Isolux Corsan will be responsible for the construction, installation and equipment in the converter and AC substations.