Indian Firms Win Kenya Power Contracts

Indian firms are wracking up contracts out of Kenya as the East African country’s electricity generator looks to expand the power grid. Kenya Power awarded contracts worth Sh1.13 billion to two Indian companies, KEC International and Siemens of India.

The two firms have been tasked to install various sub-stations and transformers in Nairobi, Mount Kenya, and western regions under the Kenya Electricity Expansion Program (KEEP). Kenya Power is targeting 300,000 new customers in 2012.

Kenya Power MD and CEO Joseph Njoroge said: "The power projects will help steer the company's strategic plan of increasing access to electricity to 50 per cent of Kenyans by 2020."

The contracts awarded to KEC international (India) Ltd. will have the company establishing sub-stations in satellite areas of Nairobi such as Uplands, Ndenderu, Kirigiti, Lukenya, Rironi, Lower Kabete, Githunguri, Villa Franca, and Magumu. The contracts are valued at Sh471 million. KEC also won the contract to design and install various sub-station transformers in Nyanza, Rift Valley and Western provinces at a combined cost of Sh259 million.

Siemens Ltd. of India will establish new sub-stations in Gatundu, Juja, Kangema, Tala, and Mwea at a total cost of Sh403 million.