The 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 connecting Ethiopia with Kenya. It was completed in November 2022.[1]
| 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 | |
| Commissioned | November 2022 |
| 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 |
Overview
editThe power line was constructed to 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 electricity imports over the interconnector were expected to lower power prices in Kenya and promote industrial growth in the country.[2]
The project was budgeted at KSh 126 billion (approximately US$1.26 billion). Funding was sourced from the World Bank and the African Development Bank, the principal financier.[3][4]
Route
editThe 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.[5] From Sodo, the power line runs in a south-easterly direction for approximately 400 km (249 mi), as the crow flies, to Moyale, at the international border with Kenya.[6]
From Moyale, the power line follows a south-westerly course to end near Suswa, in Kajiado County, approximately 600 km (373 mi) away, as the crow flies.[7] The power line measures about 1,045 km (649 mi), of which approximately 600 km (373 mi) is in Kenya.[3]
Construction
edit
The contractor for the 457 km (284 mi) of power line inside Ethiopia was China Electric Power Equipment and Technology (CET). CET was also responsible for cross-border cabling and a 40 km (25 mi) section in Kenya, near a place called Logologo, and the converter station in Sodo.[2] In September 2019, it was reported that CET had completed construction of the Ethiopian section of this power line.[8]
KEC International Limited (KEC), an Indian company, was contracted to build the 195 km (121 mi) section from Elboro to Logologo, in Marsabit County.[2]
Larsen and Toubro Limited was responsible for building the section from Logologo to Kinamba in Laikipia County, measuring 201 kilometres (125 mi).[2] The Kinamba to Suswa section is contracted to Kalpataru Power Transmission Limited, and it measures about 237 kilometres (147 mi). A new 500 kV substation was included in the scope of work.[2]
The interconnector was put into service in November 2022.[9]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "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 Muhaita, Abel (2 August 2017). "Power line to reduce costs by seven shillings". The Star (Kenya). Nairobi. Archived from the original on 8 August 2017. Retrieved 14 March 2018.
- ^ a b 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Jean Marie Takouleu (26 September 2019). "Ethiopia: CET opens electricity transmission line linking country to Kenya". Afrik21.africa. Paris, France. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
- ^ Andeso, Albert (29 November 2022). "1,045km Ethiopia-Kenya Electricity Line Goes Live". CK. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
External links
editCIGRÉ 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.):