A new Sh500 million substation is currently being constructed at Lukenya, with a 46 Mega Volt Ampere (MVA) capacity to power industrial and commercial enterprises such as cement manufacturing and real estate investments along Mombasa Road/FILE
Kenya Power’s Acting Managing Director Ben Chumo, told Machakos County Governor, Alfred Mutua, during a visit to his office that in view of the ambitious development agenda the county had set for itself, the company would enhance distribution of quality and reliable power supply to support new industrial, commercial and real estate projects that are lined up.
Chumo announced that a new Sh500 million substation is currently being constructed at Lukenya, with a 46 Mega Volt Ampere (MVA) capacity to power industrial and commercial enterprises such as cement manufacturing and real estate investments along Mombasa Road.
The project will be completed by November 2014.
“In December this year, a contractor would commence a nine-month contract to upgrade and refurbish the existing Machakos substation by installing a second transformer with a capacity of 7.5MVA and other associated equipment, at a cost of Sh125 million,” he announced.
He said the new transformer will increase the stations capacity to 15MVA and its ability to supply new investments.
Chumo indicated that the Tala and Kangundo areas will benefit from a Sh302 million project that has commenced, to install a new substation with a 2 MVA transformer and associated power lines and equipment, that is due for completion in November next year.
In addition to these investments, Chumo informed the governor that Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (KETRACO) would also put up a high voltage step-down substation at Athi River, the main industrial hub of Machakos County at the total cost of Sh1.46 billion.
“Presently two independent power producers were building two thermal power stations at Athi River with a total generation capacity of 160MW, which will stabilize power quality and reliability in the County when commissioned by end of next year,” he said.
On his part Governor Alfred Mutua said demand for power in the county will rise dramatically once investors who have committed funds for the new Machakos city hit the ground.
He said they expect robust activity at the new site from January next year.
Already the governor’s offices and residence are under construction while a public park is nearing completion.
Refurbishment of the Machakos stadium, complete with steel structure terraces and flood lights, is also nearing completion.
