Sodo–Moyale–Suswa High Voltage Power Line
Sodo–Moyale–Suswa High Voltage Power Line (or Ethiopia–Kenya HVDC Interconnector) is a 500 kV bipolar high-voltage direct current electricity power transmission line,[2] under construction, connecting the Wolayta converter station (6°54′27″N 37°43′19″E / 6.90750°N 37.72194°E) near Sodo, Ethiopia with the Suswa converter station (1°3′44″S 36°21′35″E / 1.06222°S 36.35972°E) near Suswa, Kenya.[3]
| Sodo–Moyale–Suswa High Voltage Power Line | |
|---|---|
Map of Sodo–Moyale–Suswa High Voltage Power Line | |
| Location | |
| Country | Ethiopia & Kenya |
| General direction | North to South |
| From | Sodo, Ethiopia |
| To | Suswa, Kenya |
| Ownership information | |
| Owner | Government of Kenya & Government of Ethiopia |
| Partners | African Development Bank |
| Operator | Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation & Kenya Electricity Transmission Company |
| Construction information | |
| Expected | June 2021 [1] |
| Technical information | |
| Type | overhead transmission line |
| Type of current | HVDC |
| Total length | 1,045 km (649 mi) |
| Power rating | 2000 MW |
| DC voltage | 500 kV |
Location edit
The power line starts at Sodo (Wolayta-Sodo), in Wolaita Zone, Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples Region, about 313 kilometres (194 mi), by road, south-west of Addis Ababa, the capital and largest city of Ethiopia.[4] From Sodo, the power line runs in a south-easterly direction for approximately 400 kilometres (249 mi), as the crow flies, to Moyale, at the international border with Kenya.[5]
From Moyale, the power line follows a south-westerly course to end near Suswa, in Kajiado County, approximately 600 kilometres (373 mi) away, as the crow flies.[6] The power line measures about 1,045 kilometres (649 mi), of which, approximately 600 kilometres (373 mi), is in Kenya.[7]
Overview edit
This power line serves one major purpose. It will enable Ethiopia to transfer surplus electricity to Kenya, for sale to the countries of the East African Community and the Great Lakes Region. The power generated in Ethiopia is less expensive than that generated in Kenya, and the new energy purchases are expected to lower the general power tariffs in Kenya and promote industrial growth in the country.[3]
The entire power line in both countries is budgeted at KSh126 billion (approximately US$1.26 billion). Funding was sourced from the World Bank and the African Development Bank, the principal financier.[7][8] Completion is expected in June 2019.[7] In August 2018, The EastAfrican reported that at that time, 75 percent of the work in Kenya was complete, while simultaneously, 90 percent of the work in Ethiopia was complete, with commissioning expected in 2019.[9]
Construction in Ethiopia edit
The contractor for the 457 kilometres (284 mi), inside Ethiopia is China Electric Power Equipment and Technology (CET). CET is also responsible for cross-border cabling and a 40 kilometres (25 mi) section in Kenya, near a place called Logologo. A new 500kV substation in Sodo is included in the scope of work.[3] In September 2019, it was reported that CET had completed construction of the Ethiopian section of this power line.[10]
Construction in Kenya edit
KEC International Limited (KEC), an Indian company, is contracted to build the 195 kilometres (121 mi) section from Elboro to Logologo, both in Marsabit County.[3]
Larsen and Toubro Limited is responsible for building the section from Logologo to Kinamba in Laikipia County, measuring 201 kilometres (125 mi).[3] The Kinamba to Suswa section is contracted to Kalpataru Power Transmission Limited, and it measures about 237 kilometres (147 mi). A new 500kV substation is included in the scope of work.[3]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ "1,045km Ethiopia-Kenya electricity highway now ready". Construction Kenya. 22 February 2021.
- ^ "General Procurement Notice – Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and Republic of Kenya – Eastern Africa Power Interconnector – Ethiopia and Kenya Power Systems Interconnection Project – Sector - Energy" (PDF). afdb.org. Retrieved 14 August 2018.
- ^ a b c d e f Muhaita, Abel (2 August 2017). "Power line to reduce costs by seven shillings". The Star (Kenya). Nairobi. Retrieved 14 March 2018.
- ^ Globefeed.com (14 March 2018). "Distance between Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and Sodo, Ethiopia". Globefeed.com. Retrieved 14 March 2018.
- ^ Globefeed.com (14 March 2018). "Distance between Sodo, Ethiopia and Moyale, Ethiopia". Globefeed.com. Retrieved 14 March 2018.
- ^ Globefeed.com (14 March 2018). "Distance between Moyale, Kenya and Ketraco Suswa Substation, Kenya". Globefeed.com. Retrieved 14 March 2018.
- ^ a b c Omondi, George (8 May 2018). "Uhuru in deal to speed up Ethiopia-Kenya power line". Business Daily Africa. Nairobi. Retrieved 8 May 2018.
- ^ Senelwa, Kennedy (23 August 2017). "Electricity grid takes shapes as countries erect transmission lines across borders". The EastAfrican. Nairobi. Retrieved 14 March 2018.
- ^ Olingo, Allan (6 August 2018). "Phase One of Regional Power Pool Project Set For Completion By Mid-2019". The EastAfrican. Nairobi. Retrieved 6 August 2018.
- ^ Jean Marie Takouleu (26 September 2019). "Ethiopia: CET opens electricity transmission line linking country to Kenya". Afrik21.africa. Paris, France. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
External links edit
CIGRÉ South Africa 2015 conference paper:
- Paulo Edmundo da Fonseca Freire et al. (2015): "HVDC link Kenya–Ethiopia – Ground Electrodes Site Selection"
Ethiopia–Kenya Power Systems Interconnection Project documents (including details, maps, etc.):
- Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) Summary, August 2011
- Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) Final Report – Ethiopia section, January 2012
- Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) Final Report – Kenya section, February 2012
- Project Appraisal Report, September 2012