Work begins on US$800m regional power pool project

By The guardian reporter

Eastern African Power Pool (EAPP)

Work has begun on the project to link two strategic power pools in eastern and southern Africa whose completion will greatly improve the quality and reliability of electricity in the region.

 

Undertaking of the project is estimated to cost between US$650m and US$800m.

 

The implementation of the Zambia-Tanzania-Kenya power interconnector project is also a decisive factor in the regional efforts to cut power costs and reduce charges across the board.

 

The 1,600km power lines seek to link the Eastern African Power Pool (EAPP) to the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP). Its objectives include facilitation of trade in power in order to reduce average energy production costs.

 

Tanzania, Kenya and Zambia signed the agreement to undertake the 400 KV power interconnector on December 15 in 2014. The project is set for completion in phases between 2016 and 2018.

 

Sectoral sources said construction work has begun on different sections of the sites identified for power lines for the Zambia, Tanzania, and Kenya power interconnector.

 

In a recent meeting of energy held in Arusha for permanent secretaries and senior officials from the three countries, it was reported that outstanding progress had been made on the interconnector. 

 

A progress report on the project said power pylons, substations and cabling had already been put up.

 

“Upon completion of construction of the Zambia, Tanzania, and Kenya power interconnector, it would have a long term objective of providing opportunities for power trade in the region,” the report reads in part.

 

“This will also help facilitate the creation of a Pan- African power market from Cape Town in South Africa, Cairo in Egypt through to Tripoli in Libya,” it adds.

 

Its financing has been provided under the 10th European Development Fund.

 

The project has three main components, which include construction of 700 kilometres of a double circuit 330kV transmission line between Serenje in Zambia and Mwakibete in Tanzania.

 

There will also be construction of a single circuit 330kV line from Mbeya through Singida to Arusha that would enable transfer of the power to Kenya. The third component is the construction of a 260 kilometres 330kV transmission line between Arusha in Tanzania and Nairobi in Kenya.