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{
"id": 35405,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/35405/?format=api",
"text_counter": 22,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Mr. Magerer",
"speaker_title": "The Assistant Minister for Energy",
"speaker": {
"id": 51,
"legal_name": "Magerer Kiprono Langat",
"slug": "magerer-langat"
},
"content": "(b) First of all, we should note that effective generation capacity is 1,421 megawatts and the reasons are as follows:- (i) Out of this, 246 megawatts is out of commission for maintenance and/or repair, thus leaving a balance of 1,175 megawatts. (ii) Maximum power demand at about 1,260 megawatts, therefore, exceeds available generation capacity by about 85 megawatts. (iii) In Nairobi and Western Kenya, the deficit is in some cases higher than 85 megawatts. The two existing transmission lines between Mombasa have a surplus generation and Nairobi does not have the capacity to evacuate all the surplus power. (iv) Delay in providing payment securities to independent power producers without which they cannot reach the financial clause, that is, with respect to their contractual engagements. (v) Because of this delay, three independent power producers which have power plants with a combined capacity of 252 megawatts, which should have been commissioned by May, 2011 have been rescheduled to the last quota of 2012. This also applies to the 300 megawatts from Lake Turkana wind farm which was originally scheduled for commissioning by November, 2011 but has now been postponed also to the second half of 2013. (vi) Consequently, the country lacks critical minimum reserve generation capacity margin of about 20 per cent above peak demand. This margin is estimated to be 252 megawatts based on the current peak demand. (v) Commissioning of 60 megawatts of gas turbine capacity which has been transferred from Mombasa to Nairobi after repair will commence by Friday, 29th July, 2011, that is, tomorrow with trial runs of the first 30 megawatts unit. The second 30 megawatts unit is expected to be commissioned by mid-August, 2011. A 60 megawatts emergency power plant is scheduled for commissioning at Muhoroni within the next six to eight weeks. This plant, apart from providing voltage support to the western part of Kenya, will also help to meet the current generation shortfall. (vi) Recommissioning of two power plants with a combined capacity of 68 megawatts by September, 2011. These two power plants have been undergoing significant repairs. Finally, we shall be commissioning three small power plants with a combined capacity of 28 megawatts (c) The long-term measures that my Ministry has taken to ensure that this power rationing does not reoccur is that the following power plants with a combined capacity of 1,208 megawatts are either under or programmed for implementation:- (i) Five power plants with a combined generation capacity of 392 megawatts are scheduled for commissioning by the fourth quota of 2012. Four of these plants are heavy fuel fired totalling to 252 megawatts and the fifth one is a 60 megawatts wind power plant. (ii) Two geothermal power plants with a combined capacity of 280 megawatts currently under implementation are scheduled for commissioning by the fourth quota of 2013. There is a delay in the contract award due to an appeal filed by one of the unsuccessful foreign geothermal turbine manufacturers. (iii) A 300 megawatts wind power plant by the third quota of 2013. (iv) We also have 136 megawatts geothermal power plant by the first half of 2014 (v) About 400 megawatts power imports from Ethiopia which is said to be available by 2015. (vi) About 200 megawatts of wind power is also going to be available by 2015. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, the following major transmission lines are under implementation to improve power transfer capacity:- (i) A 400 KV, 405-kilometre Mombasa-Isinya Line currently under construction is scheduled for commissioning by the first quota of 2013; (ii) A 400 KV, 42-kilometre line from Loyongalani to Suswa which is supposed to be completed by the second half of 2013; (iii) A 400 KV, 80-kilometre Suswa-Isinya line by the third quota of 2013; (iv) A 500 KV, 1040-kilometre Ethiopia-Kenya (Suswa line) which is supposed to be completed by the second half of 2015; and, (v) A 220 KV line which is 300 kilometres long, Kisumu-Lessos- Ol Karia, is supposed to be completed by 2015."
}