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This follows the completion of 132 Kilovolt (KV) sub-station in Konza to supply the Techo City with high voltage power taped from the Juja-Rabai line/FILE

Kenya

Electricity finally connected to Konza city

This follows the completion of 132 Kilovolt (KV) sub-station in Konza to supply the Techo City with high voltage power taped from the Juja-Rabai line/FILE

This follows the completion of 132 Kilovolt (KV) sub-station in Konza to supply the Techo City with high voltage power taped from the Juja-Rabai line/FILE

NAIROBI, Kenya, May 17 – Electricity has finally been connected to Konza Techno City paving the way for businesses to start investing in the mega project.

This follows the completion of 132 Kilovolt (KV) sub-station in Konza to supply the Techo City with high voltage power taped from the Juja-Rabai line.

The new sub-station has the capacity to supply Konza City with 50 megawatts (MW) of power.

Speaking during an inspection tour at the Konza Techno City grounds, ICT Principal Secretary Victor Kyalo assured investors that the government is doing all in its capacity to ensure that Konza City has the best amenities and infrastructure to support businesses that would be based at the Techno City.

“Already, an initial KETRACO medium voltage power line has been installed on site to ensure that the electricity needs for investors are addressed on site. We are on course to fulfilling our mandate which is to provide serviced land at Konza for investors,” Kyalo said.

To cater for the future needs and guarantee electricity supply, Konza City will also be supplied via a back-up 132kV line from Machakos sub-station, located 12 kilometres away.

The Techno City will become part of the 400KV Nairobi Metropolitan Ring that will encircle Nairobi and outlying towns.

These would be backed by supplies from sub-stations in Gilgil, Suswa, Isinya, Konza City, Nairobi East (Komarock) and Thika. On an inner 220kV ring will comprise substations like Kimuka (Ngong), Nairobi North (Ndenderu), Dandora, Embakasi and Athi River.

“With power supplied from the Eastern Hydros and Mombasa Thermals via the Juja-Rabai line, Isinya sub-station (geothermal power from Ol Karia), Konza City will probably be home to Kenya’s most reliable power supply. For investors wishing to invest in data centres that should be good news,” said Eng Dr John Mativo- KETRACO Chief Manager in charge of Planning and Development.

Kyalo encouraged investors to invest in the project that is expected to position Kenya as an ICT hub in Africa.

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“The success of this noble and timely initiative will largely depend on Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) and thus the government is keen on addressing all the concerns of would-be investors. Initially, power supply was a concern, but as you can see, we now have three separate power lines,” the PS explained.

To facilitate construction works on site, Konza Technopolis Development Authority (KoTDA) has partnered with Tanathi Water Services Board to supplement the existing seven boreholes that had been sunk earlier.

The partnership will provide additional 2,000 cubic meters of water to Konza City.

“We still have long term plans to supply the city with additional water from Thwake dam, but for a start we are ready to sufficiently support all the construction works on site,” said Eng John Tanui, CEO KoTDA.

On completion, the techno city which is lying between the abundant submarine cable bandwidth and Nairobi city will be connected by several backbone fibre optic cables, making it one of the most connected tech hub in Africa.

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