Kenya Electric Transmission Company has filed an environment assessment petition to National Environment Management Authority seeking an approval to set up transmission lines along the Standard Gauge Railway, a move that will spearhead the electrification of the line.
“Ketraco, is proposing to construct 12 transmission lines and 14 sub-stations for supply of high voltage power to the Nairobi-Mombasa SGR line and the economic belt along the railway line,” Nema said through a gazette notice.
The design of the SGR rail line, which is now run by diesel-power locomotives, will allow for the design of a single electric line.
In January, KETRACO signed a Ksh24.4 billion loan deal with China Electric Power Equipment Power and Technology for the electrification.
China Road Bridge and Corporation, which was appointed to build the Nairobi-Mombasa railway line, will be offered a 15 per cent over the current construction costs to construct the line.
