Isinya–Singida High Voltage Power Line
{{Short description|High voltage power transmission line in Kenya and Tanzania}}
{{Infobox power transmission line
| name = Isinya–Singida High Voltage Power Line
| photo =
| caption =
| map =
| country = Kenya and Tanzania
| state =
| province =
| coordinates = {{coord|-1.9950|36.8000|type:landmark_region:KE|display=inline}}
| direction = North to south
| through =
| par =
| owner = Government of Kenya & Government of Tanzania
| partners = African Development Bank
| operator = Kenya Electricity Transmission Company & Tanzania Electric Supply Company
| cable_manufacturer =
| cable_installer =
| cable_layer =
| substation_manufacturer =
| substation_installer =
| contractors = North China Power Engineering Company Limited
| construction =
| expected = 2024
| est =
| decom =
| type =
| current_type = AC
| length =
| length_mi = 315.5
| tower_no =
| capacity =
| AC_voltage = 400kV
| DC_voltage =
| poles_no =
| circuits_no = 2
}}
The Isinya–Singida High Voltage Power Line is a high voltage electricity power line, under construction, connecting the high voltage substation at Isinya, Kenya to another high voltage substation at Singida, Tanzania.{{cite web | url=http://www.afdb.org/fileadmin/uploads/afdb/Documents/Environmental-and-Social-Assessments/Kenya-Tanzania_-_Power_Interconnection_Project_-_ESIA_Summary.pdf |date=July 2014 |access-date=19 October 2016 |publisher=African Development Bank |title=Multinational Kenya–Tanzania Power Interconnection Project: Country : Kenya and Tanzania: Project Number : P-Z1- FA0-052 |author=Asfaw S; Kulemeka N |display-authors=etal |location=Abidjan, Ivory Coast}}
Location
The power line starts at Isinya, in Kajiado County, about {{convert|58|km|0}} south of Nairobi,{{google maps |
url=https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Nairobi,+Kenya/Isinya,+Kenya/@-1.5330401,36.8337379,10.29z/data=!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x182f1172d84d49a7:0xf7cf0254b297924c!2m2!1d36.8219462!2d-1.2920659!1m5!1m1!1s0x182fb914ff5685eb:0x12cac6814be6b1ee!2m2!1d36.8425202!2d-1.6727148!3e0?entry=ttu |title=Distance between Nairobi, Nairobi County, Kenya and Isinya, Kajiado County, Kenya |
access-date=31 January 2024}} and runs in a southerly direction for approximately {{convert|109|km|0|}} to the border with Tanzania at Namanga.{{google maps |url=https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Isinya,+Kenya/Namanga,+Kenya/@-2.1049571,36.8687766,8.86z/data=!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x182fb914ff5685eb:0x12cac6814be6b1ee!2m2!1d36.8425202!2d-1.6727148!1m5!1m1!1s0x1830f0ca88aa8e71:0x9f16cccfc965b4e6!2m2!1d36.7838976!2d-2.5520935!3e0?entry=ttu |title=Distance between Isinya, Kajiado County, Kenya and Namanga, Kajiado County, Kenya |
access-date=31 January 2024}}
At Namanga the power line crosses into Tanzania and follows a southerly direction to Arusha, a distance of about {{convert|110|km|0}} from Namanga.{{google maps|
url=https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Namanga,+Kenya/Arusha,+Tanzania/@-2.9376906,36.7653745,8.71z/data=!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x1830f0ca88aa8e71:0x9f16cccfc965b4e6!2m2!1d36.7838976!2d-2.5520935!1m5!1m1!1s0x18371c88f2387383:0xbc1907f7ec497152!2m2!1d36.6829927!2d-3.3869254!3e0?entry=ttu |title=Distance between Namanga, Kajiado County, Kenya And Arusha, Arusha Region, Tanzania |
access-date=31 January 2024}} From Arusha the line travels in a south-westerly direction for about {{convert|325|km|0}} to end at Singida.{{google maps|
url=https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Arusha,+Tanzania/Singida,+Tanzania/@-4.0685287,35.8703167,7.86z/data=!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x18371c88f2387383:0xbc1907f7ec497152!2m2!1d36.6829927!2d-3.3869254!1m5!1m1!1s0x184b24587db627f3:0x79b571f30eed5cea!2m2!1d34.7630307!2d-4.8253518!3e0?entry=ttu |title=Distance between Arusha, Arusha Region, Tanzania and Singida, Singida Region, Tanzania | access-date=31 January 2024}} According to the African Development Bank, {{convert|93.1|km|0}} of the line are located in Kenya and {{convert|414.5|km|0}} are located in Tanzania, for total length of {{convert|507.6|km|0}}.
Overview
As far back as 2015, Kenya, Tanzania and Zambia began to explore the amount of electricity that can be moved along high voltage power lines linking the three countries. The objective was to exchange electricity between the Eastern Africa Power Pool to which both Kenya and Tanzania belong, and the Southern African Power Pool to which Tanzania ad Zambia belong. Each country would build and maintain the infrastructure within its borders.{{cite web|publisher=Thomson-Reuters |work=Reuters | url=https://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFKCN0SD1Q020151019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403145918/https://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFKCN0SD1Q020151019 | url-status=dead | archive-date=3 April 2019 |title=Zambia, Tanzania, Kenya to assess power output on high-voltage power line |date=19 October 2015 |access-date=19 October 2016 |location=New York City}} Kenya and Tanzania sought a joint consultant to advise on the project.{{cite web | url=https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/business/Kenya--Tanzania-seek-consultant-for-cross-border-power-lines/-/2560/2618012/-/81os7sz/-/index.html |title=Kenya, Tanzania seek consultant for cross-border power lines |newspaper=The EastAfrican Quoting Reuters | location=Nairobi |accessdate=19 October 2016 |date=9 February 2015}} A joint Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) in both countries was carried out in 2014, funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB).
Construction in Kenya
In October 2017, Ketraco, the Kenyan electricity transportation monopoly, awarded the construction contract for a 400kV substation at Isinya and the {{convert|96|km|0}} 400kV high tension line from Isinya to Namanga, to North China Power Engineering Company Limited (NCPE).{{cite web |date=18 October 2016 |url=http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/Corporate-News/Chinese-firm-to-build-Sh2-6bn-power-line-to-Tanzania/539550-3421686-11q82s5z/index.html |accessdate=19 October 2016 |first=Neville |last=Otuki |location=Nairobi |title=Chinese firm to build KSh2.6 billion power line to Tanzania |newspaper=Business Daily Africa}} The work will be jointly financed by Kenyan government at US$4.25 million and the AfDB which will offer US$22.42 million in loans. Construction was expected to take 22 months.
In 2023, the development was met with construction delays related to compensation of landowners and lack of sufficient capital to do so.{{cite web|url=https://pumps-africa.com/completion-of-kenya-tanzania-power-interconnection-project-to-delay/ |title=Completion of Kenya-Tanzania Power Interconnection Project to delay |work=Pumps-Africa |date=5 April 2023 |author=Anita Anyango |access-date=31 January 2024 | location=Nairobi, Kenya}} In January 2024, Business Daily Africa reported that completion of construction was expected in 2024.{{cite web| work=Business Daily Africa | url=https://www.businessdailyafrica.com/bd/economy/afdb-wants-kenya-dar-electricity-deals-finalised--4508772 |title=AfDB wants Kenya, Dar electricity deals finalised |author=John Mutua |date=31 January 2024 |access-date=31 January 2024 |location=Nairobi, Kenya}} In March 2024, The EastAfrican reported that construction was completed but testing and calibration was ongoing with test completion planned for the end of April 2024.{{cite web|work=The EastAfrican |date=25 March 2024 |url=https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/business/kenya-misses-target-to-commission-power-line-to-tanzania-4568170 |title=Kenya misses target to commission over 500km power line to Tanzania | access-date=25 March 2024 |location=Nairobi, Kenya}}
Construction in Tanzania
The work in Tanzania involves the construction of approximately {{convert|415|km|0}} of double circuit high tension power lines, from Namanga, through Arusha to Singida, a 400kV substation in Arusha and another 400kV substation in Singida. The work is budgeted at US$258.82 million.{{cite web |accessdate=19 October 2016 |url=https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/business/2560-3421526-70tk8bz/index.html |title=Work on Kenya-Tanzania powerline set to begin |location=Nairobi |newspaper=The EastAfrican | date=18 October 2016 |last=Anyanzwa |first=James}}
The section between Singida and Babati was contracted to Kalpataru Power Transmission Limited of India. The Babati to Arusha section was contracted to Bouygues Energies & Services of France. The Namanga to Arusha section was contracted to Energoinvest DD Sarajevo of Bosnia. Kenya is expected to establish a 400kV connection to Ethiopia, while Tanzania is expected to establish a similar 400kV connection to Zambia. This will enable seamless power sales between the four countries.{{cite web |title=Tanzania-Kenya joint power project kicks into high gear |work=The EastAfrican |author=Bob Karashani | url=https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/business/Tanzania-Kenya-joint-electricity-project/2560-4974190-iuwd57/index.html |date=9 February 2019 |access-date=11 February 2019 |location=Nairobi, Kenya}}
Other considerations
In May 2024, as Kenya and Tanzania were hurrying to complete this power transmission line, the EastAfrican reported that the 400kV transmission line between Tanzania and Zambia is under construction and is scheduled for completion in November 2025. At that time Eastern Africa Power Pool countries will be able to trade power with the countries of the Southern Africa Power Pool.{{cite web | date=1 May 2024 | url=https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/business/power-line-linking-kenya-to-southern-africa-set-for-2025-4609144 |work=The EastAfrican |title=Power line linking Kenya to southern Africa set for 2025 |author=Brian Ambani |access-date=1 May 2024 | location=Nairobi, Kenya}}
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.ketraco.co.ke/ Website of Kenya Electricity Transmission Company]
- [http://www.tanesco.co.tz/ Website of Tanzania Electric Supply Company Limited]
- [http://allafrica.com/stories/201803200165.html Southern Africa: AfDB Boost for SADC Power Transmission Projects]
{{coord|01|59|42|S|36|48|00|E|display=title}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Isinya-Singida High Voltage Power Line}}
Category:High-voltage transmission lines in Kenya
Category:High-voltage transmission lines in Tanzania
Category:Energy infrastructure in Africa
Category:Proposed electric power transmission systems