Charles Keter, the Energy Cabinet Secretary has launched the Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) substation located in the Central Business District (CBD) with the aim of enhancing the flexibility of the power distribution system in the city.
The construction of the 260/66kV substation is being undertaken under the Nairobi CBD network and reinforcement project.
The Sh13.2 billion project is being carried out by Tebian Electric Apparatus (TBEA), a China-based manufacturer of power equipment such as transformers. Exim Bank of China is funding the project via a 20-year concessional loan.
“In the past five years, Kenya Power has invested heavily to enhance its network to improve the quality of power supply to its customers. The commissioning of this GIS substation is part of that investment,” Kenya Power’s managing director and chief executive Dr Ken Tarus stated.
The Network and Reinforcement Project
The reinforcement part of the project will entail installing underground cables from the Embakasi substation to the GIS substation at the city centre. Other linkages will also be installed to other substations at Likoni Road, City Square, Parklands, Cathedral, Nairobi West, and Muthurwa to offer alternative supply points and further stabilise the power distribution system.
The 220kV underground transmission line linking Embakasi substation to the GIS substation, which will enable the bulk transfer of power from Olkaria production plants to the Nairobi CBD, was commissioned recently.
“This is the longest underground cable in the country and will ensure quality power supply in the Central Business District, Parklands, Upperhill and Industrial area,” said Dr Tarus.
Gas Insulated Switchgear technology is easier to operate and more dependable than the conventional Oil Insulated technology that uses more space. Therefore, the new substation will increase power supply quality and reduce the cost of maintenance. In addition, the new substation will curb issues such as human activities and vandalism that result from the use of overhead cables.
The GIS substation will also boost the supply capacity at the Industrial Area which is composed of large power consumers.
