Kenya Power ups Coast power upgrade

27th June, 2014
In recognition of the significance of the tourism industry to the country’s economy, Kenya Power is directing more resources towards revamping the electricity infrastructure in the Coast area to ease blackouts and improve quality of power supplied to customers, the firm’s Managing Director and CEO, Dr. Ben Chumo, said today.

 

In a speech read on his behalf by the Company’s Coast Regional Manager, Eng. Haid Yusuf, Dr. Chumo told hoteliers gathered for their annual symposium at Whitesands Hotel in Bamburi, that Malindi and Watamu that used to experience frequent supply interruptions now hardly experience blackouts.

 

He said Kenya Power was now supplying power to the area from a new power transmission line currently under construction to deliver electricity to the Lamu Port, from the Company’s main substation at Rabai in Kilifi. The Shs.9 billion transmission line, being constructed by Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (Ketraco) has been energised up to Garsen in the Tana Delta.

 

South Coast area, which hitherto experienced unreliable power supply from Mombasa Island now enjoys better quality and stable power supply following completion of a transmission line from Rabai to Galu substation two years ago, from where customers including hotel establishments are connected.

 

In Mombasa North mainland, the Company had initiated an aggressive campaign to upgrade the ageing network to cost Shs.185 million. Work has commenced in Nyali, Bamburi, Kisauni, Kiembeni and neighbouring areas where less breakdowns are now being reported, he said.

In the next one year, he added, the Company would invest Shs.576 million to refurbish substations and power lines in Mombasa, Wudanyi, Taveta, Lamu, Likoni, Ukunda, Voi, Kilifi and Malindi among other areas in the effort to improve overall quality and reliability of power in Coast region.

 

And to sustain good service to customers, Dr. Chumo said specific operational teams had been assigned specific power lines to enhance speed of power restoration after a breakdown, and appointment of senior staff as relationship officers responsible for various customers across the country.

 

The two day symposium was also addressed by the Chief Executive Officer of the Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers, Mr. Mike Macharia, the convenor of the meeting.

 

Ends…..

 

For more information, contact:
Kenya Power Corporate Communications Dept.
Tel. 3201622/39 or /47
E-mail communications@kenyapower.co.ke