The Sodo–Moyale–Suswa High Voltage Power Line (or Ethiopia–Kenya HVDC Interconnector) is a 500 kV bipolar high-voltage direct current electricity power transmission line connecting Ethiopia with Kenya. It was completed in November 2022.
Overview The power line was constructed to enable Ethiopia to transfer surplus electricity to Kenya, for sale to the countries of the East African Community and the Great Lakes Region. The power generated in Ethiopia is less expensive than that generated in Kenya, and electricity imports over the interconnector were expected to lower power prices in Kenya and promote industrial growth in the country.
The project was budgeted at (approximately US$1.26 billion). Funding was sourced from the World Bank and the African Development Bank, the principal financier.
Route The power line starts at Sodo (Wolayta-Sodo), in Wolaita Zone, Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples Region, about by road south-west of Addis Ababa, the capital and largest city of Ethiopia. From Sodo, the power line runs in a south-easterly direction for approximately , as the crow flies, to Moyale, at the international border with Kenya.
From Moyale, the power line follows a south-westerly course to end near Suswa, in Kajiado County, approximately away, as the crow flies. The power line measures about , of which approximately is in Kenya.
Construction
The contractor for the of power line inside Ethiopia was China Electric Power Equipment and Technology (CET). CET was also responsible for cross-border cabling and a section in Kenya, near a place called Logologo, and the converter station in Sodo. In September 2019, it was reported that CET had completed construction of the Ethiopian section of this power line.
KEC International Limited (KEC), an Indian company, was contracted to build the section from Elboro to Logologo, in Marsabit County.
Larsen and Toubro Limited was responsible for building the section from Logologo to Kinamba in Laikipia County, measuring . The Kinamba to Suswa section is contracted to Kalpataru Power Transmission Limited, and it measures about . A new 500 kV substation was included in the scope of work.
The interconnector was put into service in November 2022.
See also Energy in Ethiopia Energy in Kenya Loiyangalani-Suswa High Voltage Power Line
References
External links CIGRÉ South Africa 2015 conference paper: Paulo Edmundo da Fonseca Freire et al. (2015): "HVDC link Kenya–Ethiopia – Ground Electrodes Site Selection"
Ethiopia–Kenya Power Systems Interconnection Project documents (including details, maps, etc.): Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) Summary, August 2011 Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) Final Report – Ethiopia section, January 2012 Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) Final Report – Kenya section, February 2012 Project Appraisal Report, September 2012