Chinese firm starts construction of Ethio-Kenya power transmission line

China Electric Power Equipment and Technology (CET) on Monday officially commenced the construction of the Ethiopia-Kenya high voltage electric power transmission line project within Ethiopia.

The project, which is carried out with a total investment of 1.26 billion U.S. dollars financed by the African Development Bank, runs about 1,045km, of which 445km is within Ethiopia's territory and the rest in Kenya.

The 500 KV transmission line will have the transmitting capacity of 2,000 MW.

The project, which aims to achieve regional power grids interconnection in the East Africa sub-region, is expected to be completed within 12 months.

Officials from the Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) and CET attended the project's commencement ceremony at Wolayta Sodo, about 425 km south of Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa.

Announcing the official commencement, Reta Nigussie, EEP Transmission and Substation Projects Program Officer, noted that the project, upon completion, would help build Ethiopia's economy by generating foreign currency.

"It will transmit 2,000 MW to Kenya and other East African countries. It will be useful for Ethiopia because it generates foreign currency. It will help our economy to develop," said Reta.

Recalling that the Chinese company has successfully completed other power projects in Ethiopia, Reta expressed the hope and confidence that the company would complete the latest project as per the schedule.

Speaking on the occasion, Rong Hulin, senior representative of CET, reiterated that the project would lead to huge economic benefits for Ethiopia in terms of generating foreign currency and new jobs for locals.

He also expressed the company's commitment to completing and delivering the project with high quality as per the contract schedule. Endit