NAIROBI, Kenya- Kenya has completed a key 400-kilovolt transmission line connecting with Tanzania, marking a significant step toward regional energy integration and renewable energy exports.
Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi announced the milestone at the 2024 Eastern Africa Power Pool (EAPP) Regional Trade Conference, underlining the potential for shared clean energy resources across East Africa.
The new transmission line not only links Kenya and Tanzania but also creates a pathway for Tanzania to access renewable energy from Ethiopia through Kenya’s infrastructure.
Wandayi emphasized the line’s role in advancing clean energy collaboration during his speech at the EAPP conference, attended by over 300 energy leaders and stakeholders from across the continent.
“Kenya has finalized the construction of the transmission line, enabling Tanzania to harness renewable energy from Kenya and Ethiopia,” he stated, underscoring the project’s regional significance.
This achievement aligns with the broader goal of the Eastern Africa Power Pool to foster energy trade and improve access to sustainable power solutions across member countries.
Kenya has long been a regional leader in renewable energy production. With installed capacities of geothermal (841.1 MW), hydroelectric (810.4 MW), wind (425.5 MW), and solar (210.3 MW), the country is well-positioned to become a key energy exporter.
According to the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), renewable energy accounts for an impressive 79.56pc of Kenya’s total installed capacity of 2,776.3 MW as of December 2023.
These numbers reflect the country’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable energy.
This infrastructure development reinforces Kenya’s role in driving Africa’s clean energy agenda while bolstering its own economy through energy exports.
