The construction of the 132 Kilovolt (Kv) Olkaria/Narok Transmission power line by the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company Limited (KETRACO) is expected to be completed by November this year.
The project Engineer Nicholas Kandie told the Narok County Development Implementation Coordination Committee (CDICC) that the 63 Kilometre line was 80 per cent complete.
Kandie said all the foundation works were already done with only the erection of 20 towers remaining before the project is commissioned.
“The power outages experienced in Narok, and its surroundings will be a thing of the past after the completion of this project,” said Kandie adding that the line was connecting the Olkaria sub station and Narok town substation.
He however cited land as the main obstacle in the construction work as many people were not willing to let the posts be erected on their land. The system improvement project commenced on July 15th 2019 and was scheduled to be completed by November 2021.
Narok County Commissioner Evans Achoki who led the CDICC lauded the Chinese contractor for their efforts in ensuring that Narok gets constant power supply.
Achoki said the power fluctuation that has been experienced between 7pm and 9 pm will be sorted out as Narok will now have an independent power line. He reiterated that the power line will be of great benefit for Narok residents as they will have more reliable power.
“We will be working closely with KETRACO to ensure that they deliver the project within the timelines stipulated to benefit the residents,” Achoki said, adding that the line will provide an alternative evacuation path for the geothermal power via Olkaria.
Also present during the inspection exercise was Presidential Delivery Unit (PDU) representative Loise Shuma.
By Ann Salaton
