Power users in Southern Nyanza Region for the first time experienced uninterrupted electricity supply even as critical maintenance work went on along the Muhoroni - Chemosit Transmission Line.
This is a major milestone in the transmission corridor’s history and a signal that the country’s national electricity grid is getting stronger, thanks to strategic transmission investments undertaken by Kenya Electricity Transmission Company Limited (KETRACO) that has reinforced the region’s electricity backbone.
Previously, maintenance on the line would spark widespread power outages and intermittent load shedding.
“Previously, maintenance works along the Muhoroni- Chemosit transmission corridor would lead to power disruptions in Southern Nyanza, but today the narrative has changed, and the work is proceeding without any single blackout. We attribute this to our strategic transmission investments that have ensured grid reliability,” said Ag. KETRACO Managing Director Eng. Kipkemoi Kibias.
This development, said Eng. Kibias, signifies a major leap in the development of Kenya’s power grid, ensuring essential upkeep along this critical Transmission Line since the network now has an alternative route, bringing to a stop the routine load shedding.
It is worth noting that previously, the region’s power demand is on record as having shot past the line’s 81 MW rating, tipping the network towards instability.
The energization of the 132kV Sondu - Homa Bay Transmission Line, late last month, is part of the multipronged strategic grid reinforcement initiatives undertaken by KETRACO in recent times.
This new transmission infrastructure installation brings onboard a shorter, more efficient/reliable pathway from power generation point at Sondu and Sangóro to Homa Bay (Ndhiwa), posting a significant relief on the Muhoroni – Chemosit loop and enhancing overall supply stability.
“Ideally, we have unlocked a critical secondary supply pathway to Southern Nyanza. Our technical teams now have the latitude to conduct routine maintenance without interrupting power supply to local consumers, including institutions of learning, hospitals, research centres, trading centres, government offices and even homes. In short, we are powering rapid economic growth and livelihoods,” said Eng. Kibias.
The grid network reinforcement efforts have also enhanced supply to Kericho through the Sotik - Chemosit - Kisii corridor onward to the Awendo – Isibania Transmission Line consolidating Western and Nyanza into a robust transmission backbone.