By: Green building Africa

Kenya has taken a significant step toward stabilizing and improving electricity supply along its Coast region with the commissioning of the new 400/220kV Mariakani Substation. The Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (KETRACO) announced that the substation is now operational, marking a major milestone in the Nairobi to Mombasa Transmission Line project.

The substation serves as a critical power gateway linking the Coast to the national grid. It is designed to carry over 1,000 MW of electricity, which will significantly enhance grid stability, reduce technical losses, and lower power costs for households, businesses, and industries in the region. The strengthened infrastructure is expected to end years of power instability and reduce the Coast's dependence on costly diesel generators, especially during peak hours.

According to KETRACO Acting Managing Director Eng Kipkemoi Kibias, the development will allow cleaner, more reliable energy—including geothermal power from Olkaria, wind power from Lake Turkana, and hydropower imports from Ethiopia—to flow efficiently to the Coast, supporting Kenya's goal of achieving 100% clean energy by 2030.

The Mariakani Substation was funded 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 served as the implementing contractor under KETRACO’s supervision.

With the completion of Mariakani Substation, Phase Two of the Mombasa to Nairobi Transmission Line Project is now finished. The fully operational 400kV transmission corridor is set to boost industrial growth, attract investment, and improve the quality of life for millions of Kenyans while strengthening regional power interconnections with Ethiopia and Tanzania.