Nairobi, KENYA: Energy Cabinet Secretary Charles Keter on Monday commissioned the 220/66kV Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) substation located at the city center worth sh. 13.2 billion.
The substation is part of the Nairobi City Centre Network Upgrade and Reinforcement Project that is aimed at improving the flexibility of the power distribution system in Nairobi.
The project is being implemented by TBEA of China funded and the Exim Bank of China through a twenty-year concessional loan.
Kenya Power’s Managing Director Dr. Ken Tarus said that the reinforcement project also involves installation of underground cables from the 220/66kV Embakasi substation to the City Centre GIS substation and further providing a link to six other substations namely; Nairobi West, Cathedral, Muthurwa, City Square, Parklands and Likoni Road to provide alternative supply points and stabilize the power distribution system around the city.
“In the past five years, Kenya Power has invested heavily to enhance its network to improve the quality of power supply to its customers. The commissioning of this GIS substation is part of that investment,” said Tarus.
The newly commissioned substation will boost the quality of power supply while reducing the maintenance cost and lowering the challenges that come with overhead cables such as vandalism and interference by human activities.
“This is the longest underground cable in the country and will ensure quality power supply in the Central Business District, Parklands, Upperhill and Industrial area,” said Tarus.
