- The new 400 220kV Mariakani Substation delivers stable and reliable electricity to homes businesses and industry across the Coastal region.
- The project reinforces the Nairobi to Mombasa transmission corridor and supports Kenya’s clean energy and regional power integration goals.
- The investment backed by the Government of Kenya and the African Development Bank strengthens confidence in the country’s energy infrastructure.
Kenya Electricity Transmission Company has energized the 400 220kV Mariakani Substation, marking a major milestone in improving electricity reliability and stability along the Coast.
The commissioning of the substation is set to end years of power instability in the region, benefiting households commercial enterprises hotels and both small scale and large scale manufacturing. With a stronger connection to the national transmission grid, the Coast is expected to significantly reduce its dependence on expensive diesel generators.
Mariakani Substation serves as a critical power gateway linking the Coast to the Nairobi national transmission grid. By reinforcing this corridor at 400kV, KETRACO is enabling a more stable electricity supply that will support industrial growth attract new investment and improve quality of life for millions of Kenyans.
The substation forms part of the Nairobi to Mombasa Transmission Line, which is designed to carry more than 1000MW of electricity between the two regions. This capacity increase will ease pressure on the Coastal power network and improve overall system performance.
The project is also a strategic component in strengthening Kenya’s national transmission grid and the wider regional interconnected power system. A stronger grid is essential to fully realise the operational benefits of the 500kV Ethiopia Kenya Interconnector and the 400kV Kenya Tanzania Interconnector.
In addition, the Mariakani Substation will support Kenya’s target of achieving 100 per cent clean energy by 2030. It will allow increased flows of geothermal power from Olkaria wind power from the Lake Turkana Wind Power Project and hydropower imports from Ethiopia to reach the Coast.
“With this development, the Coast will significantly reduce its reliance on expensive and polluting diesel power, especially during peak evening hours. Cleaner reliable and stable energy will now flow more efficiently lowering costs and stabilising supply,” said KETRACO Acting Managing Director Eng Kipkemoi Kibias.
Financing for the Mariakani Substation was provided through a partnership between the Government of Kenya and the African Development Bank at a total cost of KES 3 billion. China CAMC Engineering Company Limited was the implementing contractor under the supervision of KETRACO engineers. Beyond the substation, the African Development Bank is also the lead financier of the transmission lines linking Mariakani to Nairobi and Rabai.
The energisation of Mariakani completes Phase Two of the Mombasa to Nairobi Transmission Line Project. Phase One involved the construction of double circuit transmission lines from Rabai Substation to Embakasi Substation in Nairobi and has been operational since 2017.
With both the 400kV Isinya Substation and the Mariakani Substation now complete, the full 400kV Mombasa to Nairobi transmission corridor is operational. The project delivers increased transmission capacity of over 1000MW to the Coast, reduced technical losses lower power costs and a more reliable and resilient electricity network aligned with Kenya’s clean energy transition.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
