In a significant development within Kenya’s energy sector, Adani Energy Solutions Limited (AESL), formerly known as Adani Transmission Limited, has officially initiated a major infrastructure plan involving three large-scale power transmission projects. The projects are poised to significantly boost the capacity and reach of Kenya’s electricity grid, catering to the ever-growing demand for reliable energy across multiple counties.
The letter dated 21st December 2023, from Krishan Dutt Tiwari, Country Manager (Kenya) for Adani Energy Solutions, highlights the company’s commencement of developing Project Development Reports (PDR) under the framework of Kenya’s Public-Private Partnership Act 2021. The projects have received approval from the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (KETRACO), marking an important milestone in advancing Kenya’s energy infrastructure.
Key Projects Set for Development:
The three key transmission lines under development include:
- 400kV Gilgil – Thika – Malaa – Konza Transmission Line & Associated Substations: This project will connect Gilgil to key urban areas like Thika and Malaa, extending to Konza, the planned techno-city, enabling more robust power delivery to vital economic zones.
- 220kV Rongai – Keringet – Chemosit Transmission Line & Associated Substations: Enhancing power supply across the Rift Valley, the line will increase the reliability and coverage of energy for the high-growth regions.
- 132kV Menengai – Olkalou – Rumuruti Transmission Line & Associated Substations: This transmission line will service parts of Central Kenya, playing a key role in meeting the growing power demands in Nakuru and Laikipia counties.
Together, these projects aim to bolster the country’s energy distribution, helping it keep pace with rising energy needs and improve access to underserved areas. They are strategically designed to pass through several counties including Nakuru, Nyandarua, Kiambu, Muranga, Machakos, Kericho, Bomet, Laikipia, and Nandi, covering critical energy demand nodes.
To ensure successful project execution, Adani Energy Solutions has appointed SMEC International Private Limited, an engineering and infrastructure consulting company with a long-standing reputation for delivering complex projects in the region. SMEC will be responsible for conducting a range of technical studies and assessments, including Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIA) and Resettlement Action Plans (RAP), alongside developing the detailed designs for these projects. The comprehensive Project Development Reports (PDR), due by June 2024, will provide a roadmap for the projects’ execution.
Krishan Dutt Tiwari, in the official letter, has sought the cooperation of relevant authorities and stakeholders to provide SMEC with the necessary support for the smooth implementation of the projects.
The launch of these projects aligns with Kenya’s vision of becoming an energy hub in East Africa. With the increase in industrialization, urbanization, and the growing tech economy driven by the Konza Technopolis, reliable power infrastructure has become paramount.
Adani Energy Solutions’ expansion into the Kenyan market signifies the growing interest of international energy giants in tapping into Africa’s rapidly evolving infrastructure sectors. As Kenya seeks to enhance its energy capabilities, the partnership with Adani presents a promising step toward reinforcing the national grid, improving power distribution, and reducing outages that affect businesses and households alike.
This initiative also places Kenya in a better position to meet its Vision 2030 goals by ensuring energy security, driving economic growth, and attracting further investments in the renewable energy sector. With projects like these, the country can also make progress toward integrating more green energy solutions, including the vast geothermal and wind energy potential that exists in the country.
Adani Energy Solutions’ investment in Kenya is set to play a pivotal role in bridging the country’s energy gaps and expanding its transmission capacity. The collaboration with SMEC International signals a robust approach to managing the intricate demands of such large-scale projects.
As the June 2024 deadline for the PDR submission approaches, all eyes will be on how quickly and efficiently these energy developments will proceed, with the potential to transform Kenya’s power landscape and fuel its economic ambitions.
The success of these projects could set a precedent for more international collaborations in Kenya’s infrastructure and energy sectors, heralding a new era of modernization in the country’s power grid.
