Kenya’s electricity distribution utility, Kenya Power, launched a 33/11kV substation in Mtondia, Kilifi County to improve the quality of power supply in the area and cater for a growing customer base.
The new substation, which cost Sh 249 million, comprises four distribution lines (feeders) that will enhance the stability of the power supply within Kilifi County. Additionally, it will boost the capacity of the existing Kilifi substation and offer alternative supply to customers in this area to minimise outages.
The station is one of four substations the power utility is constructing within Kilifi County at a total cost of Sh1.26 billion under the Kenya Electricity Modernisation Project (KEMP). The other substations are Sabaki 33/11kV, Kaloleni 33/11kV and Kokotoni 33/11kV.
According to Kenya Power’s Managing Director and CEO, Bernard Ngugi, the new investments will improve the quality of power being supplied to the residents of Kilifi County and its environs given its exponential growth in the last eight years.
Network expansion projects
Between 2013 and now, Kilifi County has registered a 260% growth in customer numbers, from 51,821 households to the current 186,403 households. This has seen access improve from 21% to 71%. This growth is being driven by the Last Mile Connectivity Project, which the Company is undertaking in partnership with the Government. The new substation will boost the capacity of the existing Kilifi substation and offer alternative supply to customers in this area to minimise outages,” said CEO Ngugi.
In the last five years, Kenya Power has invested over KSh3.7 billion ($34.596 million) in network expansion projects in the Coast region. These projects include the construction of 13 substations, power lines, and the upgrading of existing substations in Kilifi, Mombasa, Kwale, Lamu and Taita Taveta counties.
Kenya Power is the country’s sole electricity off-taker and currently has a customer base of over eight million customers. In other parts of the country, the power utility has recently constructed the Juja 132/66kV, City Centre 220/66kV and Thika Road 220/66kV substations to serve its customers within Nairobi and its environs, as well as the Kisii East 33/11kV substation.
