This archive report was first published on 24 July 2019.
Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (Ketraco) is set to bring an end to power outages in Western Region with the launch of the Olkaria-Lessos-Kisumu high voltage transmission line in April 2020.
The 300-kilometer line, according to Ketraco Chief Executive Fernandes Barasa, will stabilize electricity supply for households and businesses in Western Kenya.
Constant power outages have been a common occurrence in the Western region due to a dilapidated transmission network that has limited the evacuation of electricity from the geothermal-rich Olkaria and the seven-folk area.
However, with the completion of the Olkaria-Lessos-Kisumu transmission line, residents are set to enjoy stable electricity supply from April 2020.
Barasa noted that the completion of the line will facilitate the evacuation of cheap renewable electricity to Eldoret and Kisumu and their environs.
He added that the high-power voltage line will cut back on heavy electricity losses during transmission, which have a direct impact on the retail cost of electricity.
Reliable power supply to Western is expected to ignite activity, ensuring uninterrupted operations for factories, businesses, and households.