Business News
Chinese to build power station
KenGen boss Eddy Njoroge (right) and SinoHydro Regional director Quin Chao on Thursday. Photo/ANTONY OMUYA
Posted Thursday, September 11 2008 at 21:05
Electricity generator KenGen has signed a contract for the construction of a power station to add 20 megawatts into the national grid by 2011.
Sinohydro a Chinese company will handle the construction at the Sangoro Power Station project while Nippon Koei of Japan is the consultant.
The two firms won the bids in an international tender placed by KenGen.
According to Mr Eddy Njoroge, KenGen managing director, the construction is set to begin in November and continue for the next 36 months.
“We are confident that within the next three years we will be able from this station to inject an additional 20 megawatts of electricity into the national grid,” noted Mr Njoroge.
Sangoro Power plant is located five kilometres down stream at the end of Sondu/Miriu Hydro Power project tunnel.
The new station is intended to utilise the discharge of 39.9 cubic metres per second of water from the Sondu power station, dropping from a height of 62.2 metres. Today the demand for electricity is estimated at 1050MW.
The project was identified as one of the priority areas in addressing the growing demand for electricity in the country.
Studies for the project were carried out in 1992, same time as the Sondu/Miriu. It is expected to interface with Sondu/Miriu and boost generation of hydropower in western Kenya.
Currently, region depends on the Sondu/Miriu project that is yet to be commissioned. It is also expected to inject 60 megawatts into the national grid when fully operational.
The project will cost Sh4.6 billion to its completion. Japan Bank for International Co-operation has provided an initial funding to the tune of Sh3.65 billion.
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Submitted by wanmtPosted September 26, 2008 01:17 AM
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Submitted by hochwada
As a student of world history, politics and cultural relations I must say we need more caution than we have ever had when dealing with our so-called old as well as new-found friends in East, West or North. Their dealings with us should never be mistaken for their desire to help us. No it is about their own selfish interests NOT OURS! I must caution that the most compelling lessons for Africa should the Japanese-American lessons of the last 200 hundred years. We must strive to break these ties of dependency once and for all. -- Hannington Ochwada
Posted September 12, 2008 08:54 PM -
Submitted by maziwa_lala
To Cmwaniki; I do not think so, the Chinese are motivated by the desire to get Africa's wealth just like the west was. They are picking up where the west left off. As long as Africans do develop their sense of self-pride and ambition we will continue serving one master after another
Posted September 12, 2008 07:37 PM -
Submitted by zamboni
Furthermore, electricity is first pumped into the national grid before it is distributed around the country. So the notion that the project will benefit only western Kenya doesn't fly either. We seriously should stop distilling all intentions into tribalistic motives.
Posted September 12, 2008 04:33 PM -
Submitted by Ireadlines
Now I can see why Raila wants all the Kalenjins out of the Mau. Sonu Miriu and now this? This 'co-operation' is really working - in favour of Nyanza that is. I wonder why MPs are not complaining now. A new name for the new government 'leadership'; 'Raila-Emilio favouritism'.
Posted September 12, 2008 11:43 AM
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This is a good project. More new and renewable energy projects around the country will add to enrgy pool as well as improving system stability which is contrary to what some people think is 'zonal' or regional. Let us think positive.