Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi has explained the reason for the power outages experienced across the country over the past week.
In a statement on Friday September 6, Wandayi said the blackout was experienced after the 220kV High Voltage Loiyangalani transmission line tripped at the Suswa substation while evacuating 288MW from Lake Turkana Wind Power (LTWP) plant.
According to Wandayi, the trip at Suswa was followed by another one on the Ethiopia – Kenya 500kV DC interconnector that was then carrying 200MW, resulting to a total loss of 488MW. The total demand in the system at the time was 1790 MW, according to the statement.
Wandayi said the loss of 488MW, accounting for 27.3% of the total generation, resulted in cascade failure and partial collapse of the grid.
“This affected most regions of the country except parts of Western Kenya, which was supported by supply through the interconnector to Tororo, Uganda,” the CS added.
Opiyo Wandayi Explains Cause of Outage, Issues Measures
Furthermore, Wandayi added that what the country witnessed today has built-up over time and is as a “result of sub optimal investment in energy infrastructure.
He mentioned that the sector is looking into short-term and long-term interventions to address this challenge including bringing onboard private sector capital to supplement Government efforts.
To solve the power outages issue, Opiyo said the ministry will be pursuing the lifting of the moratorium on PPA by the National Assembly and implement the base load (hydro, geothermal) generation projects to improve energy security and provide adequate spinning reserves.
“Enhancing grid flexibility and resilience by completing the following projects: Turkwell-Ortum-Kitale (Turkwell – Ortum section is already energized), Sondu- Ndhiwa, Nanyuki-Isiolo, Narok Bomet, and Mariakani substation,” Wandayi added.
Other measures include the repair of Loiyangalani Suswa Transmission line for double circuit operation and migration from 220kV to 400kV operation, completion of ground electrode for HVDC for bipolar operation, Lessos substation, STATCOM for voltage regulation at Suswa and Rabai.
The government is also looking towards the construction of alternative evacuation lines namely: Gilgil-Thika-Malaa-Konza 400kV to complete the Nairobi Ring to decongest Suswa Complex, Rongai- Keringet-Chemosit to decongest Kisumu-Muhoroni-Chemosit, Menengai- Olkalao-Rumuruti to provide access to Mount Kenya region to geothermal power.
Also Read: KPLC Blackout: Nationwide Power Outage Hits Kenya, Again
Kenya Power Outages
This comes after some parts the country experienced a massive power outage on Friday, September 6 morning.
KPLC confirmed that the blackout affected several parts of the country except sections of North Rift and Western regions.
This included the capital city Nairobi, Nakuru, Kiambu County and areas within Western Kenya towns of Kakamega and Bungoma.
However, the utility company has announced that it had restored power in various parts of the country.
Similarly, on Friday, August 31, at around 9:00 pm, a power outage was experienced across the country.
The loss of power supply affected various parts of the country, except the North Rift region and sections of the Western region.
Also Read: UPDATE: Areas Where Power Has Been Restored After Nationwide Blackout
Energy CS on Spot
Kenyans have since called out the Energy CS, Opiyo Wandayi, who, in August 2023, criticized Kenya Power over constant blackouts.
He stated, “Kenyans are currently paying the highest tariffs ever for electricity consumption, including being charged for power they have not consumed.”
“Frequent nationwide power outages not only expose KPLC’s incompetence but also compromise national security while denting economic production.”
It is a scandal that requires heads to roll but more importantly there is need to establish what is happening at KPLC which continues to enjoy a long monopoly but does not give value for taxpayers’ money”
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