KPLC Commissions Nairobi-Mombasa Fibre Optic Cable

The Kenya Power & Lighting Company (KPLC) today commissioned its 450 km Nairobi-Mombasa fibre optic line; implemented under a US 32 million dollars System Control and Data Acquisition and energy management system (SCADA/EMS) project financed by the European Investment Bank (EIB).

European Investment Bank Vice President responsible for Africa Plutarchos Sakellaris said: “The European Investment Bank is financing the fibre optic link to the Kenyan capital as part of its contribution to essential energy and communications infrastructure in Africa. This connection will improve efficient power consumption through a dedicated system, as well as improving high-speed internet capacity.”

SCADA/EMS is part of the US153 million dollars Energy Sector Recovery Project which commenced in 2007 with the support of the Kenya Government and other development partners, to upgrade and reinforce the country’s electricity distribution network.

There are 24 pairs of optic fibres in KPLC’s cable, out of which the company will use six pairs for its operations, while the rest will be leased out to telecommunications companies. Already, Safaricom Ltd., Jamii Telecommunications Ltd., Wananchi Group and Kenya Data Networks, have leased optic fibres on the Mombasa/Nairobi route.

Speaking at the Nairobi-Mombasa cable commissioning ceremony at Embakasi Sub-Station in Nairobi, Eng. Njoroge said the SCADA/EMS is critical in the management of the power network. He thanked the European Investment Bank for facilitating the replacement of the old system which was installed in 1990, and which was no longer suitable for the fast growing electricity network in the country.

Eng. Njoroge also announced that the 800 km KPLC fibre optic line installation on the western route, between Nairobi and Tororo in Uganda, is also completed and is undergoing commissioning tests.

The SCADA/EMS will ensure availability of interconnections between KPLC’s National Control Centre at Juja Road, Nairobi, and other regional control centres, and also avail back-up functionality at the Coastal Area Regional Control Centre in case of a major outage. In addition, the system will enhance communication from high voltage substations in various parts of the country and the National Control Centre.

Present during the launch was European Investment Bank Vice President, Mr. Plutarchos Sakellaris; Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Energy, Mr. Patrick Nyoike; and KPLC Chairman, Mr. Eliazar Ochola.

Vice President Sakellaris is currently on a three day visit to Kenya to see other initiatives funded by the European Investment Bank including the Olkaria Geothermal power plant and other projects. The European Investment Bank delegation will also be meeting President Mwai Kibaki, Prime Minister Raila Odinga, other senior government ministers and business leaders.