Infrastructure
Work on Sh12bn KETRACO Dispatch Hub Underway
The National System Control Centre project is set for completion in 2028.
The construction of the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company’s (KETRACO) Sh12.26 billion National System Control Centre (NSCC) is set to begin, boosting Kenya’s grid modernisation.
Located in Embakasi, Nairobi, the new facility aims to meet the increasing demands on the national grid and improve the efficiency of electricity distribution throughout Kenya.
John Mativo, Managing Director of KETRACO, recently said ground-breaking for the NSCC is scheduled for this month, with construction set to follow soon after.
The project is slated for completion in January 2028.
“We are ground-breaking this month, and the construction should start latest by mid-next month,” Dr Mativo said.
“This new NSCC will not only address the limitations of the current control centre but also provide enhanced visibility, a better working environment, and advanced capabilities, allowing the operator to simulate future grid scenarios.”
The NSCC, operational since 2009 on Juja Road, has been unable to meet the growing demands of Kenya’s power system.
In January 2024, the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority removed Kenya Power’s role as system operator, a critical position for managing electricity flow and ensuring stability as Kenya expands its energy capacity with more renewable sources like wind and solar.
The new NSCC will provide a central command hub for managing the electricity grid, addressing the challenges posed by an increasing power generation capacity, including three high-voltage interconnectors to neighbouring countries: Ethiopia, Uganda, and Tanzania.
The control centre will play a pivotal role in maintaining grid stability, optimising electricity distribution, and balancing supply with demand.
KETRACO has partnered with a consortium of companies, including French firm Grid Solution SAS and India’s Larsen & Toubro, for the construction of the facility.
The project is being financed by the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and the French Ministry of Finance.
A backup station will also be built at KETRACO’s Suswa substation to ensure the system remains operational in case of any failures at the main control centre.
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The NSCC will enhance the country’s ability to manage a growing and increasingly complex energy mix. “The National Grid will continue to grow in size and capacity within Kenya, and more and more variable renewable energy will be added, making it paramount for KETRACO to construct a new facility,” Dr Mativo said.
Once completed, the new centre will be critical in managing Kenya’s ambitious electricity generation plans and its role in the Eastern Africa Power Pool, which aims to facilitate electricity trade between 11 African countries.
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Work on Sh12bn KETRACO Dispatch Hub Underway
The National System Control Centre project is set for completion in 2028.
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