Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (KETRACO) has signed a contract with a group of Chinese companies after Isolux failed to complete the project to evacuate power from Lake Turkana Wind Power. Isolux Ingeneria SA was contracted to undertake this project when its parent company filed bankruptcy. As a result, their contract with KETRACO was terminated in August last year.
The Kenyan government is set to pay Lake Turkana Wind Power (LTWP) Ltd a fine of 5.1 billion after failing to adhere to their contractual agreement. According to the contract, power from the wind station should have been connected to the national grid after the LTWP project was completed in January 2017.
The 9.6 billion contract has been awarded to companies consisting of NARI Group Corporation and Power China Guizhou Engineering Company. The companies will complete the project in August.
“Everything will be fast-tracked to ensure that the project is completed within the stipulated time and we assure facilitation of work permits and tight security to enable the delivery of the project,” Fernandes Barasa, KETRACO managing director said.
The project involves the construction of a 428-kilometre power line which will evacuate power from Loiyangalani to the Narok County Suswa substation.
“We have outlined a methodology that will accelerate the process and I am confident that we will deliver as per the contract,” Chen Chao, NARI Group Corporation general manager stated.
Lake Turkana Wind Power Station produces 310 MW which when connected to the national grid will help lower the cost of electricity.
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