Kenya Power Limited Company (KPLC) has launched a Ksh50 million back-up National Control Centre in the Coast region to safeguard the security of electricity supply across the country.
In a statement on March 28, KPLC said the center will provide an alternative power dispatch point in case of failure of the main National Control Centre.
The facility will also serve as a training center to boost power system operators’ capacity and technical skills.
“Our grid is expanding rapidly with increased customer numbers and this calls for the deployment of strategic initiatives that are meant to secure and strengthen the quality of power supply. The backup national control center is one such initiative that we have undertaken,” Kenya Power’s Managing Director and CEO Joseph Siror said.
The Ksh50 million facility was financed through a grant from GIZ under the Power System Readiness for Integration of Variable Renewable Energies (VRE) project that is being implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum.
“We are also focused on strengthening the network through refurbishment of the existing infrastructure and construction of new lines to provide alternative supply points to our customers to minimize power outages,” added Siror.
KPLC Makes History in East Africa
KPLC defined the National Control Centre as a facility where electricity from various generation sources is dispatched to consumers across the country.
The Company explained that the dispatch is guided by a merit order that considers various factors such as cost and demand.
“It is considered a best practice and also a requirement of most Grid Codes across the world for electricity utilities to operate backup national control centres, to secure the reliability of their power supply,” the statement read in part.
Kenya becomes the first country within the East African Community to comply with the requirement of commissioning of the backup national control centre
Other countries in Africa that operate backup national control centres include South Africa, Algeria, Morocco, Ethiopia, Sudan, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Egypt.
Also Read: Govt Bars KPLC Clients from Dumping It
EPRA Proposals to Limit Blackouts & End Monopoly
The Company has come under huge criticism in recent months over the alarming number of power interruptions.
For this reason, the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) tabled a proposal limiting individual customer blackouts to 20 in a year.
EPRA also proposed to restrict the total duration of KPLC unplanned blackouts to 80 hours per year.
Also Read: Ndidi Nyoro Acquires New 20 Million Shares After Selling KPLC Stake
Additionally, EPRA drafted the Energy (Electricity Market, Bulk Supply and Open Access) Regulations, 2024.
The Regulations will allow Independent Power Producers (IPPs) to take part in electricity distribution in Kenya.
EPRA said the draft was developed based on a petition by the IPPs to allow open access to power transmission and distribution.
