Shs.100 million to improve Kisumu’s power supply

12th July, 2014

Kenya Power will spend Shs.100 million this weekend in a project aimed at improving the quality of power supply in Kisumu, the Company’s Managing Director and CEO, Dr. Ben Chumo has said.


The project, dubbed Operation Boresha Umeme Kisumu, entails conducting master repair works on existing power substations in Kisumu and its environs, extension of power network, creation of additional transformation and distribution capacity as well as creating new dedicated lines to industrial customers and critical services such as hospitals.


Dr. Chumo said four new alternative power lines will be constructed to serve Kisumu’s Central Business District, Industrial Area, Nyahera (to improve supplies to Maseno) and Manyatta Estate. At the same time, he said, the Company will install 12 new transformers and refurbish 50 existing transformers to enhance their performance and prevent technical breakdowns.


“The operation will ensure that the power supply system is robust and power supply consistent to support efforts to minimize power outages occasioned by both planned and unplanned outages. We have carried out similar exercises in other parts of the country including Busia and Bungoma in the West Region with marked service improvements reported,” said Dr. Chumo.


He said the Company has marshaled 71 teams with a total of about 700 members of staff drawn from various parts of the country to implement the project in a timely manner.


The exercise is part of the undertaking that Kenya Power is implementing throughout the country as it expands and upgrades its electricity distribution infrastructure ahead of the expected additional generation capacity of 5,000 MW by 2017. This will increase the country’s effective generation capacity by about 300% from the current 1,652 MW to 6,652 MW.


“We intend to implement the programme in Homabay, Migori/Kisii, Kakamega and Kericho in the near future,” he added.


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