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Regional power interconnectors will unlock East Africa’s energy potential
Workers walk past electricity power lines at the Olkaria II Geothermal power plant near Naivasha. The new infrastructure is set to strengthen energy ties between the Kenya and Tanzania, paving the way for increased power exchange.
The vision of a unified and electrified eastern Africa is no longer a distant dream, but an attainable reality made possible by regional power interconnectors.
Significant electricity projects are driving increased power exchange and fostering broader regional energy and economic collaboration.
Though the region has long been considered as rich in untapped energy resources, unreliable electricity supply, energy deficits and isolated markets, regional power interconnectors are now emerging as key to unlocking the region’s vast energy potential.
Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (Ketraco) has just completed and energised the 400kV Kenya-Tanzania Interconnector—a 510-km transmission line from Isinya to Singida.
This new infrastructure is set to strengthen energy ties between the two nations, paving the way for increased power exchange and supporting broader regional energy and economic integration.
This project will also facilitate power exchange in Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, the Southern Africa Power Pool, Sudan and Egypt in the north as well as enhance access to cheap electricity through the Eastern Africa Power Pool (EAPP) by economic merit order dispatch.
Regional power interconnectors are not merely tools for power transmission, they serve as catalysts for economic growth, environmental sustainability, and regional integration.
The 13-member states of the EAPP utilise interconnected grids to enhance energy security, harness the full potential of renewable energy and promote shared economic benefits among member countries.
By pooling energy resources, member states gain access to lower-cost electricity and collectively invest in renewable energy while reducing dependence on expensive and harmful fossil fuels.
Kenya’s geothermal and wind power, for instance, complement Tanzania’s hydroelectric potential. This synergy not only stabilises power supply but also paves the way for achieving Kenya’s Vision 2030 goal of 100 percent renewable energy reliance.
The need for regional power interconnectors is now more urgent than ever. Furthermore, the interconnected system allows for more efficient energy storage and transmission.
When one country’s renewable generation peaks, surplus energy can be exported to another nation, reducing wastage.
Regional interconnectors allow countries to sell electricity to one another at competitive prices. This can lower the cost of power in underserved regions and foster industrialisation and job creation. Stable and reliable energy supply are key to attracting investment in manufacturing, agriculture and service sectors.
Political and regulatory barriers, financing issues, and infrastructure constraints need to be addressed to ensure the success of these interconnectors. However, the potential rewards are too significant to ignore.
Ketraco remains committed to supporting the EAPP vision of transforming the region to be one of the best investment destinations in the world by energy intensive users.
For instance, Kenya has largely harnessed Ethiopia’s massive hydroelectric power. The electricity imports from Ethiopia rose 88 percent in the first six months of 2024 as compared to a similar period in 2023.
Kenya imported 672.26 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of power from Ethiopia during the six months, an increase from 357.44 million kWh a year ago. The imports have been on the rise, growing from a low of 20 million kWh a month in 2023 to a high of 122 million kWh per month in 2024.
Kenya is expected to save a minimum of $10 million in a single year due to electricity supplies from Ethiopia.
One of the most profound benefits of regional power interconnectors is the potential for greater energy access. In Eastern Africa, millions of people still live without reliable electricity, limiting their opportunities for education, healthcare, and economic development.
The interconnection of power grids can provide an affordable and sustainable solution to these energy access challenges. For example, The Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) between Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) and Tanzania Electricity Supply Company Limited (TANESCO) outlines a power trade between Ethiopia and Tanzania, transmitted through Kenya’s transmission network.
TANESCO plans to purchase 100MW from EEP, with the amount set to increase to 200MW over the next three years. This will greatly improve energy access in Tanzania.
The writer is the Managing Director, Kenya Electricity Transmission Company Ltd (KENTRACO).
