The Kenya Electricity Transmission Company Limited (KETRACO) has successfully completed the restoration of the 400kV Loiyangalani–Suswa Double Circuit Transmission Line, a critical link in the country’s power grid that had suffered major disruption after six towers collapsed near Longonot.
The restoration project, valued at Ksh46.13 million and USD 1.59 million (about Ksh207 million), was aimed at stabilizing electricity supply and ensuring smooth evacuation of renewable energy from the Lake Turkana Wind Power (LTWP) plant.
Engineers not only replaced the damaged towers but also carried out conductor stringing and fitted Optical Ground Wire (OPGW), both essential to strengthen the line’s capacity and reliability.
The project was executed in two phases, following a November 2024 agreement with a private contractor. The first phase saw Circuit 1 re-energised on September 20, partially reconnecting the grid, while the second and final phase—Circuit 2—was scheduled for September 28, fully restoring the line to its original operational strength.
Once operational, the line will evacuate up to 300MW of clean wind power from LTWP, significantly reducing reliance on the fragile temporary bypass system that had been prone to repeated collapses.
During the commissioning, Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi hailed the restoration as a breakthrough for affordable and cleaner electricity supply, particularly benefiting northern Kenya.
The milestone came just a day after Eng. Kipkemoi Kibias was named Acting Managing Director and CEO of KETRACO. Kibias, a registered engineer with the Engineers Board of Kenya and a member of the Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK), also sits on the Federation of African Engineering Organisations (FAEO) Nuclear Committee.
KETRACO now hopes the revival of this transmission line will end months of instability in Kenya’s electricity supply and reinforce the nation’s shift toward renewable energy.
